Floating partition, loft and troughs for a livestock shipping container

ABSTRACT

A shipping container for livestock having a plurality of walls, a container roof and a container floor enclosing an interior storage space. The front wall may include a container door and one or more of the sidewalls may be mounted with one or more column support plates that support web support plates. A floating partition, end wing, loft and feed troughs may be mounted with the web support plates. Additionally, the floating partition may be tilted inward to efficiently divide space and provide access to the loft. A catwalk may also be mounted with the floating partition.

This United States Non-Provisional patent application claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/636,397, filed on Apr. 20, 2012.This application is also is a continuation-in-part of, and claimspriority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/087,583, filed on Apr.15, 2011, which in turn claims the benefit of International PatentCooperation Treaty Patent Application PCT/US11/24602, filed on Feb. 11,2011; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/371,123, filed Aug. 5,2010; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/378,473, filed Aug. 31,2010; and United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/434,366,filed Jan. 19, 2011. Each application is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Generally, embodiments described herein relate to shipping containersfor transporting livestock on shipping vessels, and more particularlyrelate to shipping containers having floating partitions, as well as,floating feed troughs and lofts.

BACKGROUND

As beef, dairy and other livestock industries continue to develop aroundthe world; various market demands generate a need to transport livestockover great distances. In some cases, transoceanic and intercontinentalshipments may be desirable. These shipments can be made relativelyquickly by airborne transport, but at a great expense. Heavier cargo,such as livestock, can be particularly expensive creating a need forwaterborne transport, which can take between four days and forty-fivedays, or more, to arrive at a final destination. Living animals presenta number of issues that are unique to shipping and which becomeincreasingly problematic over extended shipment periods. Therefore, aneed exists for a specialized shipping container for the oceanictransport of livestock.

Unlike typical cargo, livestock require a steady supply of suitablefood, water, air and at least some level of climate or temperaturecontrol in order to promote good health. These basic requirements arefurther complicated by the fact that livestock produce waste duringtheir confinement in shipping containers. Therefore, an unresolved needexists for a shipping container that promotes livestock health over thecourse of long shipments, and for a spatially efficient configuration totransport livestock and feed together.

At least one previous container indicated for the transport of livestockprovides an external means for accessing stored feed for distribution tolivestock within the container. Such an arrangement may present safetyhazards to an operator and requires additional spacing betweencontainers. For example, some previously described shipping containersinclude compartments which are accessible from the exterior of thecontainer through outwardly opening panels. These panels require acertain clearance in order to provide access to feed during the courseof shipment, which increases the required space for each container.Further, these configurations require an operator or attendant locatedon the exterior of the container for distributing feed. The attendantmay be exposed to weather elements and may be within the reach oflivestock presenting opportunities for injury while performing thesetasks. As such, a further need exists for shipping containers which arespatially efficient and which include features for enhancing the healthand safety of livestock and attendants.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the claimed invention are summarized below whichmeet the needs set forth above. These embodiments are not intended tolimit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather serve as briefdescriptions of possible forms of the invention. The invention mayencompass a variety of forms which differ from these summaries.

One embodiment relates to a shipping container having a front wall, backwall, first sidewall and second sidewall connecting a container roof toa container floor enclosing an interior storage space. A floatingpartition may be mounted with one or more of the first and secondsidewalls separating the interior storage space into a first portion anda second portion without touching the container floor. A loft may alsobe connected to the floating partition and mounted with one or more ofthe first and second sidewalls.

Another embodiment relates to a shipping container having a front wall,back wall, first sidewall and second sidewall connecting a containerroof to a container floor enclosing an interior storage space. One ormore column support plates mounted with the first sidewall and one ormore web support plates mounted at the column support plates at thefirst sidewall. The one or more web support plates may have distal endsextending away from the column support plates mounted at the firstsidewall. A floating partition may be mounted with the web supportplates. One or more feed troughs and a catwalk may be mounted with thefloating partition. A loft in communication with the floating partitionmay be supported by one or more of the plurality of sidewalls. An endwing may be connected to the floating partition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an external isometric view of a shipping container inaccordance with certain aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2A-D illustrates internal and cross-sectional views of a shippingcontainer in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an internal isometric view of a shipping container inaccordance with certain aspects the present invention.

FIG. 4A-B illustrate cross sectional views in accordance with certainaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5A-B illustrates a hopper in accordance with certain aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of a system of shipping containers on ashipping vessel in accordance with certain aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7A-C illustrates schematic configurations of arrays ofinterconnected shipping containers on a shipping vessel in accordancewith certain aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8A-C illustrates schematic configurations of arrays ofinterconnected of shipping containers and water delivery systems on ashipping vessel in accordance with certain aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an arrangement of shipping containers on a shippingvessel in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 10A-D illustrates schematics of electrical systems for multipleshipping containers on a shipping vessel in accordance with certainaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 11A-C illustrates an embodiment of stackable containers along witha spacer and a catwalk for accessing stacked containers.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flow chart embodying certain aspects of methodsrelating to the shipping containers described herein.

FIG. 13 provides an isometric view of a plurality of stacked containerssharing a catwalk.

FIG. 14A illustrates a downward sectional view of the front portion of ashipping container in accordance with certain embodiments describedherein, the sectional view being taken from above the loft.

FIG. 14B illustrates a downward sectional view of the back portion of ashipping container in accordance with certain embodiments describedherein, the sectional view being taken from above the loft.

FIG. 15A illustrates a downward sectional view of the front of ashipping container in accordance with certain embodiments describedherein, the sectional view being taken from above the feed troughs.

FIG. 15B illustrates a downward sectional view of the back of a shippingcontainer in accordance with certain embodiments described herein, thesectional view being taken from above the feed troughs.

FIG. 16 illustrates a back sectional view of a shipping container inaccordance with certain embodiments described herein, the sectional viewbeing taken from in front of the wing end.

FIG. 17 illustrates a back sectional view of a shipping container inaccordance with certain embodiments described herein, the sectional viewbeing taken at a ventilation opening.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the interior of ashipping container and a floating partition in accordance with certainembodiments described herein.

While the present invention may be embodied with various modificationsand alternative forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in thefigures and described herein by way of illustrative examples. It shouldbe understood the figures and detailed descriptions are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention to the particular form disclosed, butthat all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents falling within thespirit and scope of the claims are intended to be covered.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now referring primarily to FIG. 1, an external view of an embodiment ofa shipping container 10 is illustrated. Particular embodiments relate toa shipping container 10 for transporting livestock, where the livestockcan include one or more cattle, horses, sheep goats, pigs, otherdomestic livestock, or exotic animals. The exterior of the shippingcontainer 10 is illustrated with roof 12, a bottom 14, a front wall 16,a back wall 18, a first sidewall 20 and a second sidewall 22 forming aninterior storage space. The front wall 16, back wall 18, first sidewall20 and second sidewall 22 may be collectively referred to as the sidesor a plurality of sidewalls, and it should be appreciated the terms,“top,” “bottom,” “front,” and “back” are used as relative terms foridentification relative to the other sides and that shipping containerscan be configured with any number of sides or in any number oforientations.

Each of the sides can be constructed from metal connected to a metalframe, or from other materials known in the industry for shippingcontainers. As one non-limiting example, the shipping container 10 canbe constructed from corrugated steel on a metal framework. As anothernon-limiting example, the sides can be constructed from other suitablematerials, such as fiberglass, plastics, alloys, or combinationsthereof. The shipping container 10 can be dimensioned as a typical cargoshipping container.

By way of a non-limiting example, the shipping container 10 can betwenty, forty, forty five, forty eight, or fifty three feet long, eightfeet wide, and nine and a half feet high. Shipping containers can beeight or eight and one half feet tall, and these containers are alsocontemplated for use herein. In various countries containers can beslightly wider to accommodate different sized pallets. Each of thedimensional relations of containers for this purpose are alsocontemplated for use in the aspects presented herein, as well as otherstandard or useful dimensions, which have not been specificallyidentified. For example, the shipping container 10 can be about ten toabout sixty feet long, about seven to about twelve feet wide, and aboutseven to about twelve feet tall.

The sides can be insulated, or coated, on their interior for the purposeof regulating the temperature of the shipping container. The coating canbe water resistant and non-absorbent so livestock waste and fluidsremain easy to clean from the container and so the shipping container iseasy to disinfect. For example, the interior surface, or exteriorsurface, or both surfaces of the shipping container 10 can be coatedwith a reflective material for the purpose of reflecting light, asopposed to generating heat. Similarly, the interior of the shippingcontainer 10 can be coated with foam or another insulating material,such as a paint or film. The insulating material selected for theinterior of the container can be water tight and non-absorbent so theinterior surfaces remain easy to clean and disinfect in view of wasteproduced by livestock in transit. In another embodiment, the interiorsurfaces can be padded with cushioning elements for the safety andcomfort of the livestock

The bottom 14 can be sealed to form a water tight bottom, or to make atleast a portion of the bottom watertight. The watertight bottom canprovide the benefit of preventing urine and other waste from leakingonto a transport vessel, a dock, other shipping containers, or otherlocations. For example, the bottom 14 can be lined with a plastic or arubber material which can be configured to overlie the bottom andportions of the front wall 16, back wall 18 and sidewalls. As oneexample, the bottom 14 can optionally include drain ports 31, 33, 35, 3739. The drain ports can be sealed by a wing nut, a rubber plug, or byother sealing elements for draining waste fluids at a designated timesand locations. As few as a single drain port can be used, and as many assixteen or more drain ports can be configured symmetrically orasymmetrically on the bottom 14 of the shipping container 10. In oneembodiment, a sealing foam can be used, around openings formed on theexterior of the container.

A bedding layer can be formed on the bottom 14 of the interior storagespace. The bedding can include saw dust, wood shavings, pine chips, ricechips, hay, straw, powder and combinations thereof, which can be layeredor can be mixed. The bedding can be formed over a generally water tightstructure, which can include a concrete layer and/or a plastic and/orrubber, as well as, the drain ports described above. In one embodiment,the bedding layer can be selected for its ability to absorb fluid wasteand reduce odors and can include, for example, sawdust and pine chips.In another embodiment the bedding layer can be formed to providelivestock cushioning within the container, such as hay or straw. Othersuitable materials can be used for confining urine and other wasteproduced by livestock within the shipping container.

On the interior of the container 10, the bottom 14 can include atraction surface to assist livestock in movement within the shippingcontainer in light of the relative motion the shipping container 10undergoes on the open sea. For example, the interior of the bottom 14can include rubber matting, a metallic grid, a metallic mesh, a rubbergrid, a corrugated surface, crossbars and combinations thereof.Similarly, other surfaces can be used on the bottom 14 of the shippingcontainer 10 in order to provide livestock with improved traction. Othermaterials and shapes can be used, so long as the shape allows livestockto gain footholds in the face of the pitch, roll and yaw of shippingvessels.

The front wall 16 can include a cargo gate 24, through which livestockcan be loaded like any other cargo before the shipping container 10 isloaded onto a shipping vessel. The cargo gate 24 can have a first side26 and a second side 28. The first side 26 of the cargo gate 24 can havean control box 30 including an electrical connection 32 for receivingpower from a power source, can be a 220 volt source or a 440 voltsource. The control box 30 is illustrated connected to a firstventilation fan 34 for promoting circulation within the shippingcontainer 10. A second ventilation fan 36 illustrated on the back wall18 of the shipping container 10 and can also be connected to the controlbox 30. The control box 30 can include a transformer to step downvoltage from the external source for consumption within the shippingcontainer 10, as well as a controller for operating various electricaldevices within the shipping container 10, such as the fans. The controlbox 30 can also include breakers and switches for each of the devices inthe shipping container 10. Additionally, electronic components, such asa timer 25, for controlling, regulating or powering any electric deviceswithin the shipping container 10 can be included in the control box 30.The control box 30 can include an electrical connection 32, which can bea weather proof female connection for receiving power, such as threephase 440 volts. Suitable weather proof electrical connections 32 areavailable from ESL power systems out of Corona Calif., US. Additionally,weather proof connections can be used on the interior of the shippingcontainer 10 for each electrical device, in order to ensure thecontinuous operation of lights, fans, and other equipment duringshipment. Lights may particularly require more water proofing thantypical in these shipping containers 10.

First and second ventilation fans 34 and 36 are illustrated generallyopposing each other on opposite sides of the shipping container 10 inorder to maximize the air flow through the shipping container 10. Insuch an arrangement one of the two fans can be configured to push airthrough the shipping container 10, while the other can be configured topull air through the shipping container 10. Such a cooperation betweenthe fans permits an improved air exchange. The first ventilation fan 34and second ventilation fan 36 can be provided in conjunction with theventilation openings 40, 42, 44 to promote circulation in the shippingcontainer 10. In one embodiment, the fans can be mounted in aconfiguration which promotes two-way air flow. In another embodiment,the one or more of the fans can be mounted at angles in order to promotecirculation. In either arrangement, the fans and ventilation openingscan provide between about 0.4 air exchanges per minute to about 12 airexchanges per minute, or greater than 2.5 air exchanges every minute. Inanother embodiment, shipping containers 10 can be stored in the hull ofa shipping vessel, but may require as many as 30 air exchanges perminute.

Other configurations of fans are contemplated for use with embodimentsof the shipping container 10, but the power and arrangement of the fanscan be sufficient for maintaining air flow through the entire shippingcontainer 10. In one embodiment a fan for pushing air can be fluidicallyconnected to a fan pulling air by a conduit, such as a plastic tunnel.The conduit can include openings facing the livestock in order to ensurean even distribution of air movement. In some embodiments, widow airconditioning units can be used in place of fans to control temperaturesand air circulation. In one embodiment, one air conditioning unit can belocated towards the front of the shipping container 10 and a second canbe located towards the back of the shipping container 10. The airconditioning units can be powered in similar fashion as described forthe fans from an external power source such as a generator.

The second side 26 of the cargo gate 24 can have a personnel opening 38.In order to compensate the shipping container 10 for the structuralintegrity loss due to this opening, the personnel opening 38 can bereinforced by a frame of tubular metal, metal plates, or other suitablematerial. This personnel opening 38 provides access to the interior ofthe shipping container 10 and can be accessed by an attendant during theshipment of the shipping container 10 while housing livestock. Thepersonnel opening 38 can be configured with a latchable door (notillustrated).

The first sidewall 20 and the second sidewall 22 can each provide aplurality of ventilation openings, for example three ventilationopenings 40, 42, and 44 are illustrated on the second sidewall 22. Theventilation openings 40, 42, 44 in conjunction with fans, or other meansof circulating air, can be used for the purpose of maintaining a desiredair exchange rate within the shipping container 10. In one embodiment,the first sidewall 20 and the second sidewall 22 each include one ormore ventilation openings 40, 42, 44 to prevent ammonia or carbondioxide from waste from impacting the health of livestock. Eachventilation opening can be reinforced with a frame of tubular metal orplates, or the like, along the interior of the opening. As one example,the ventilation openings 40, 42, and 44, can be reinforced with steelplates to ensure the overall integrity of the shipping container 10.

While the ventilation openings 40, 42, and 44 can provide a benefitregarding air circulation, they may present a problem in that inclementweather, such as rain, can add additional stress to already stressed,confined livestock. In order to address this, the first ventilationopening 40 is illustrated with a shutter 46 which can travel from anopen position to a closed position. The ventilation openings 42, 44 canalso include similar shutters or other means for covering closing. Theseshutters 46 can be open in order to promote air circulation or, in theevent of inclement weather, can be closed to reduce rainwater and otherelements from entering the shipping container 10 through the ventilationopenings 40, 42, and 44.

Guides 48 can be welded across each ventilation opening 40, 42, 44 inorder to further reinforce each opening, as well as for keeping theshutters 46 in place. These ventilation openings 40, 42, and 44, incombination with the fans 34 and 36 promote air movement sufficient toreduce or prevent the accumulation of ammonia, carbon dioxide, and othergases in the shipping container 10. In order to promote circulationfurther, a plurality of shipping containers 10 can be placed inside-to-side relationship and spaced by between about 6 inches and about12 inches or more. In another embodiment the roof 12 can have an airinlet opening, which can be any number of shapes or sizes in order topromote air circulation. The air inlet can also be adjustable, orsealable.

Water can be supplied to the shipping container 10 through one or morewater hoses 50, or water delivery lines, which is illustrated enteringthe shipping container 10 through a ventilation opening 40. The hose 50can include piping and can be constructed from rubber, plastic,polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), cross-linked polyethylene, anothercross-linked polymer, or another appropriate material. The hose can alsobe replaced with a rigid piping system constructed from galvanized metalor another material. The hose 50 can also enter the shipping container10 through a water connection 52 formed in a side of the shippingcontainer 10. The water connection 52 can be an inlet which is coveredwhen not in use, or a threaded connection for receiving piping or hoses.As an example, the water connection 52 can comprise a threaded waterconnection on the exterior of the shipping container in communicationwith an internal water connection for communication with internalplumbing in the shipping container 10. A valve can be used to actuatethe water connection 52 into open and closed positions. In the openposition, the interior of the shipping container can be supplied apressurized source of water through the water connection 52. Theinternal plumbing can include hoses or piping connected to watertroughs, nose operated water bowls, or the like, through fittings, suchas a brass fittings. Alternatively, the hose 50 can be connecteddirectly to fittings for water bowls. The first water trough or noseoperated water bowl can be connected in series to additional water bowlsor water troughs located in the same shipping container or in subsequentshipping containers. The water hoses 50 on the interior of the shippingcontainer 10 can be contained within a PVC, plastic, or rubber sheathwhich serves to prevent kinking in the line to help ensure anuninterrupted supply of water to the livestock. Any hoses or waterdelivery lines can be secured flush within the shipping container 10 andwith durable fittings in order to avoid damage to the water system andpotential injury to livestock being transported. The water connectionsand any water lines can be padded or insulated to prevent freezing, aswell as, to prevent animals from damaging the lines by chewing on them.

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 2A-D, four internal views of a shippingcontainer 10 similar to the embodiment portrayed in FIG. 1 areillustrated, whereby similar elements are identified with the samereference numbers. FIG. 2A illustrates a sectional view of the shippingcontainer 10 having a roof 12 a bottom 14 and four sides, including afront wall 16, a back wall 18, a first sidewall 20 and a second sidewall22. The embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2A-D can incorporate exteriorfeatures illustrated in FIG. 1. The shipping container 10 includes aninternal structure for separating a livestock storage area 62 from afeed storage area 64, whereby the livestock storage area 62 comprisesthe area enclosed by this internal structure within the interior storagespace and the feed storage area 64 comprises a continuous opening formedbetween the exterior of the internal structure and the interior surfaceof the shipping container 10.

The internal structure can be a feed partition 66 as illustrated in FIG.2A-D physically separating the livestock storage area 62 from the feedstorage area 64. Although, other configurations, such as a floating feedpartition may also be used. The livestock storage area 62 can also beconsidered an enclosure formed by the feed partition 66. The feedstorage area 64 can be considered the continuous opening outside thelivestock storage area 62, or the remaining interior storage space whichis defined by the interior of the shipping container 10 and the exteriorof the feed partition 66.

The feed partition 66 can include a horizontal partition 74 and avertical partition 76 for creating the boundaries of the livestockstorage area 62 and the feed storage area 64. The horizontal partition74 can adjoining both the vertical partition 76 and the second sidewall22; defining, at least in part, the substantially horizontal overheadspace 61 above the feed partition 66. Feed 72 can be stored in thesubstantially horizontal overhead space 61 of the feed storage area 64above the livestock storage area. The vertical partition 76 can connectthe bottom 14 of the shipping container 10 to the horizontal partition74 and define, at least in part, the substantially vertical sidewallspace 63. In another embodiment described in further detail later, thevertical partition 76 need not contact the container floor 14, but maybe suspended from the container sidewalls. Such a configuration may beconsidered a floating partition and can be seen in more detail in FIGS.14-18. The vertical partition 76 can comprise vertical spaced members 79(seen in FIG. 2B) according to the livestock to be transported. By wayof a non-limiting example, the vertical spaced members 79 can be spacedbetween about a foot and about two feet for bovine. The spacing provideslivestock, such as bovine, sufficient room to access some portion of thefeed storage area 64. The feed storage area 64 can include both thesubstantially horizontal overhead space 61, which can be defined, atleast in part, by the interior of the top 12 of the shipping container10 and the horizontal partition 74 and a substantially vertical sidewallspace 63, which can be defined, at least in part, by the interior of theshipping container 10 at the first sidewall 20 and the verticalpartition 76.

The feed storage area 62, stated differently, can include both thesubstantially horizontal overhead space 61, which can be defined, atleast in part, by the interior of the top 12 of the shipping container10 and the horizontal partition 74 and a substantially vertical sidewallspace 63, which can be defined, at least in part, by the interior of theshipping container 10 at the first sidewall 20 and the verticalpartition 76.

In the illustrated embodiment the substantially vertical sidewall space63 defined by the vertical partition 76 can include a trough 68 and acatwalk 70, while in another embodiment the vertical partition 76 canrun the height of the shipping container 10 forming a sidewall spacewhich can store hay or sacks of pelletized feed, or grains (See FIG. 4).In yet another embodiment, the horizontal partition 74 can includeopenings allowing livestock to access feed such as hay, stored in thesubstantially horizontal overhead space 61. While in another embodiment,the horizontal partition 74 can be a solid surface isolating thesubstantially horizontal overhead space 61 from the livestock. In thisembodiment, feed can be moved periodically into the trough 68 in thesubstantially vertical sidewall space 63 of the feed storage area 64 foraccess by livestock. In another embodiment, the horizontal partition canbe solid, but with a few cut away portions for moving hay or beddinginto the livestock storage area from the substantially horizontaloverhead space 61. In yet another embodiment, the horizontal partition74 can include a railing around the edges in order to prevent itemsstowed above the livestock storage area 64 from falling during transit.

FIGS. 2A and B illustrate a crossbeam 78 that can provide stabilitybetween the vertical spaced members 79. The crossbeam 78 can be locatedat an elevation permitting livestock access to a trough 68. In anotherembodiment, a plurality of crossbeams 78 can prevent livestock fromaccessing certain portions of the substantially vertical sidewall space63 of the feed storage area 64. The exception being a space left opennear the bottom 14, for access to the trough 68. The spacing of anyplurality of crossbeams 78 can provide enough room for livestock toaccess the trough 68 on the other side of the feed partition 66, whilepreventing livestock from reaching spaces that might be used byattendants.

The trough 68 can be located at the bottom 14 of the container 10 in thesubstantially vertical sidewall space 63 of the food storage area 64 andcan remain accessible to livestock in the livestock storage area 62. Thetrough 68 can be filled with hay, grain, pelletized feed, or compressedhay and combinations or rotations thereof. The trough 68 can hold aspecific volume of feed for periodically feeding the transportedlivestock in measured portions. In one embodiment, the trough 68 can bemounted along the first sidewall 20 or second sidewall 22, eitherdirectly to the sidewall or along the bottom 14 adjacent to thesidewall.

In one embodiment, the feed 72 can be separate from the livestock anddistributed into the trough 68 in measured portions. Such portioncontrol can help prevent excessive waste from being produced, which canadversely affect health of the confined livestock. In one non-limitingembodiment the feed 72 can comprise pelletized feed. The pelletized feedcan be fortified with nutrients, antibiotics, antidiuretics, or thelike, to help ensure the health of the livestock. Similarly, thelivestock drinking water can be fortified with electrolytes in order topromote hydration. The feed 72 can be stored in the substantiallyhorizontal overhead space 61, which can be loaded with enough feed 72for between four and forty five days.

A catwalk 70 can be formed above the trough 68 generally on the exteriorof the enclosure formed by the feed partition 66 in the substantiallyvertical sidewall space 63 of the feed storage area 64. The catwalk 70can extend across a portion of the trough 68 or along the entire lengthof the trough 68. The catwalk 70 provides sufficient room for livestockto access feed in the trough 68 and can be sufficiently wide for anattendant to walk on, thereby providing access to feed located above thehorizontal partition 74. Further, the catwalk 70 can be constructed fromelongate members 75 spaced apart and secured to a frame. In oneembodiment, the elongate members 75 can be spaced apart in aside-by-side relationship. The spacing of the elongate members 75 canallow grain or other feed to pass through into the trough 68 below whilebeing poured from bags stored above the livestock storage area 62. Inthis way, an attendant can enter the interior storage space, separatedfrom the livestock, reach feed stored above the enclosure of the feedpartition 66, and transfer feed 72 into the trough 68, where the trough68 is accessible by the livestock. This combination of a feed partition66 and catwalk 70 provides an efficient use of space with improvedsafety for personnel, such as attendants responsible for feedinglivestock.

In a non-limiting alternative embodiment, a catwalk 70 can comprise atleast one plank supported on top of the trough 68, or suspended abovethe trough 68. The planks can comprise openings, such as holes or slotsfor the passage of feed into the trough 68. Other catwalk 70configurations are contemplated for use herein, so long as theconfiguration is sturdy enough to support an attendant, with sufficientopenings for filling a trough 68 from above. Regardless of theconfiguration of the openings in the catwalk 70, the openings can beconfigured to avoid feet, other body parts, or articles of clothing frombecoming stuck.

Water bowls 80 can be placed adjacent to the trough 68, such thatlivestock can access water stored therein. Water bowls 80 can be placedat either end of the trough 68 as well as between two troughs. The waterbowls 80 can be placed in any configuration to provide access to waterfor livestock in the shipping container 10. FIG. 2C, illustrates oneembodiment, where the water bowls 80 comprise a first nose operatedwater bowl 80 a and a second nose operated water bowl 80 b placed oneither side of a first trough 68 a. A third nose operated water bowl 80c and a fourth nose operated water bowl 80 d can be placed on eitherside of a second trough 68 b, each along the first sidewall 20. A fifthnose operated water bowl 80 e is illustrated on the opposite secondsidewall 22. Nose operated water bowls can provide the benefit of aconstantly available water supply, and can utilize a pressurized sourceof water. As described below, the shipping containers 10 can includewater lines in series, in parallel or in a combination thereof. A pumpcan be utilized to pressurize water lines. The water bowls can also beoperated with a float valve, which automatically retains a certain levelof water in the bowl. In this way, livestock can always have wateravailable, while keeping the majority of the water supply fresh andwithout recirculating exposed water. Other valves and livestock waterdelivery devices known to those in agriculture and livestock can also beincorporated herein.

Water troughs or other water containers can also be used in place of thewater bowls 80. In a particular embodiment an external source of waterserially supplies each bowl in a shipping container, while in anotherembodiment water can be stored within each shipping container andsupplied to the water bowls therein. In another embodiment, brassfittings can be used to connect each water bowl to a waterline;preventing livestock from damaging the connection; however, theinvention is not so limited, and PVC or other materials can be utilizedfor connecting the water supply.

In another embodiment, each shipping container 10 can include a watertank. For example, a water tank can be located inside the shippingcontainer 10 which can contain about 100, about 200, about 400, or evenup to about 1000 gallons of water. Smaller water tanks can be used tosupply individual livestock or groups of livestock within the shippingcontainer 10. Each of the water tanks, or even a bladder, can be filledprior to departure from a first port, or can be filled during the voyagefrom a water supply on the shipping vessel. A heating element can becoupled to the water tank in order to prevent water from freezing. Theheating element can include a propane unit, a solar unit, or an electricunit. In another embodiment, the proximity of the livestock to the tank,and any water lines connected to the water tank, can provide body heathelping to prevent water from freezing in the water tank or in the waterlines.

In order to maximize both the livestock storages area 62 and the feedstorage area 64, the interior of the shipping container 10 can form theremaining sides of the livestock storage area 62. This feed partition 66can be constructed from materials such as metal, tubular steel, tubularaluminum, wood, plastic or the like.

FIG. 2B provides a sectional view of the shipping container 10highlighting a ventilation opening 40. This ventilation opening 40permits air flow, which can vent away ammonia, carbon dioxide, and othergases produced by livestock or other sources during transport. Theefficiency of the ventilation opening 40 can be increased with the useof a ventilation fan or multiple ventilation fans. The ventilationopening 40 while illustrated as a single opening is not intended to belimiting, and embodiments can provide a series of openings in thesidewalls of the shipping container 10. Regardless of the configurationof the ventilation opening 40, any openings in a shipping container 10can be sufficiently reinforced to offset removed portions of theshipping container. Embodiments having a single continuous opening alongone side of the shipping container can be reinforced accordingly withmaterials such as metallic tubing, aluminum or steel, plastics, or thelike.

Two or more ventilation fans can be arranged to promote ventilation byproviding more than one air flow path in the shipping container 10.Referring back to FIG. 1, a circulation fan or a first fan 34 is locatedopposite a second fan 36. In such an embodiment one can be configured topush air, while the other fan can be configured to pull air to achieve adesired exchange rate of air within the shipping container 10. In otherembodiments, the fans can be located on the same side. Both fans can beconfigured to push air through the shipping container 10, or both fanscan both be configured to pull air through the shipping container. Inone embodiment, fans can be connected by a conduit, such as a plasticconduit, that has holes for evenly distributing airflow throughout ashipping container. External curtains or shutters, (as shown in FIG. 1)can be placed on the exterior of the ventilation opening 40 toadjustably prevent precipitation and other elements from disturbinglivestock within the shipping container 10. At a minimum, the shutterscan greatly reduce the exposure of livestock to the weather.

FIG. 2C provides a top view of the interior of the shipping container 10which demonstrates the separation between the livestock storage area 62and the feed storage area 64. The livestock storage area 62 can furtherbe divided into a first compartment 112 and a second compartment 114 byan enclosure gate 110, which can be located midway between the opposingend walls. The enclosure gate 110 can serve to divide livestock in thelivestock storage area 62 into to roughly equal groups for the purposeof weight distribution and feed distribution within the shippingcontainer 10 and can further provide a more predicable center of gravityof lifting the shipping container 10. The weight of some livestock incombination with the motion of the open sea provides an incentive toprovide secure latches on the enclosure gate 110, as heavy livestock cangenerate significant momentum in response to the motion of a shippingvessel. In one embodiment a plurality of enclosure gates can beincorporated to partition the livestock in numerous spaces. For example,the livestock can be partitioned into individual spaces. The enclosuregate 110 can be hinged at either the second sidewall 22 or at aninterior portion of the feed partition 66. Alternatively, the enclosuregate 110 can be provided on its own frame. The enclosure gate 110 canfurther include a cut away portion for the fifth nose operated waterbowl 80 e, so livestock in both the first compartment 112 and the secondcompartment 114 can access a common water bowl 80 e.

Feed partition 66 can have a vertical partition 76 adjacent andgenerally parallel to the first trough 68 a and second trough 68 b, aswell as first sidewall 20 and second sidewall 22. The feed storage area64 can be widened towards the front wall 16 in order to accommodate apersonnel opening 38 (seen in FIG. 1). Widening portion 108 can aboutthe front wall 16, but generally still permit the opening and closing ofthe cargo gate doors, or the widening portion 108 can be separated fromthe front wall 16 by space. Generally, if the widening portion 108 isincluded, any gap can be configured to be smaller than any livestockcarried in the first compartment 112. In this way, personnel, such asattendants, can enter the shipping container 10, access the catwalk 70above the trough 68 in substantially vertical sidewall space 63 betweenthe first sidewall 20 and the feed partition 66 in order to access feedstored above the livestock storage area 62 for filling troughs 68 a and68 b. In one embodiment, the widening portion 108 can be angled relativeto the vertical partition 76. In another embodiment, the wideningportion 108 can be omitted and the vertical partition 76 can be extendedslightly further than illustrated. In another embodiment, the wideningportion 108 can be a gate hinged to the feed partition 66 or hinged toan additional structure provided in the vicinity of the widening portion108.

Now referring primarily to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2C, afirst water bowl 80 a and a second water bowl 80 b are located onopposite sides of the first trough 68 a and are accessible to livestockwhen occupying the first compartment 112 of the livestock storage area62. Third and fourth water bowls 80 c and 80 d can be similarly locatedon opposite ends of the second trough 68 b accessible to animals in thesecond compartment 114 of the livestock storage area 62. A fifth waterbowl 80 e can be located in an opening in the enclosure gate 110allowing access from both the first and the second compartments. Otherconfigurations of water bowls are contemplated for use with embodimentsherein. For example, the second and third water bowls 80 b and 80 ccould be replaced with a single water bowl accessible from each of thefirst compartment and the second compartment. Similarly, additionalwater bowls are contemplated herein, such as six, eight, ten, or morewater bowls. The water bowls can be supplied in series and can be fittedwith brass or metal connectors, although the invention is not solimited.

FIG. 2D illustrates a perspective view of the shipping container 10, incertain respects providing a more detailed view of a particularembodiment of the feed partition 66, however, the feed partition 66 canbe constructed in any number of configurations. In one aspect, the feedpartition 66 provides sufficient separation between the livestockstorage area 62 and the feed storage area 64 with sufficient access tothe trough 68 from the livestock storage area 62. The illustratedembodiment provides an area for the livestock separated from an area forthe trough 68. The feed partition 66 creating these areas within theshipping container can be constructed of tubular metal such as steel oraluminum in a pen like configuration within the shipping container 10;however the invention is not so limited, and other materials andconfigurations can be utilized. Crossbeam 78 can be omitted, as shown infigure, FIG. 2D, however, any number of crossbeams could be used to bothreinforce the feed partition 66 and limit the access of livestock intoother compartments.

Front wall 16 can have a personnel opening 38 (as shown in FIG. 1) tothe exterior of the shipping container 10. This personnel opening 30 canserve as an entrance for attendants responsible for filling the trough68 by providing direct access to the feed storage area 64. Verticalpartition 76 can provide support for horizontal partition 74. Thehorizontal partition 74 can comprise a metal or wood framework incombination with a surface such as plywood. While the horizontalpartition 74 can extend all the way to the vertical partition 76, thehorizontal partition 74 may also be constructed with cut away sections.The cut away sections can be located directly over the livestock storagearea 62, so bedding can be stored on the horizontal partition 74 andsubsequently dropped directly into the livestock storage area 62.Plywood, or another flat solid material, can prevent livestock fromaccessing the feed stored overhead.

Separating livestock in the livestock storage area 62 can help ensurethe even distribution of feed, as well at the even distribution ofweight within the shipping container 10. Depending on the size of theshipping container 10 and on the type of livestock, multiple gates canbe included. The enclosure gate 110 provides a means for ensuring a moreeven distribution of livestock for feeding purposes and for weightdistribution. In particular, some embodiments described herein relate tofeeding livestock measured portions in order to reduce the amount ofwasted produced during shipment. As such, an uneven distribution oflivestock within a single container may result in some livestockreceiving less nourishment than intended. Additionally, given thatlivestock, such as cattle, can easily weigh over a thousand poundsapiece, and that a shipping container can hold roughly sixteen cattle,the weight distribution on a shipping container can easily be thrown offbalance by the movement of a few animals. The uneven, or unpredictable,distribution of weight can be problematic for loading these shippingcontainers onto the shipping vessels depending on the type of mechanismused for lifting. Even a single enclosure gate 110 goes a long way tobalance the weight of the livestock by ensuring that each half of thecontainer has roughly the same weight of livestock.

In one non-limiting embodiment each animal is provided with its ownindividual gated area. In another embodiment, side doors can be providedin addition to the cargo gate 24. Side doors can provide a means forloading individual livestock into the shipping container 10. In analternative embodiment livestock can be individually partitioned in ashipping container 10 having multiple side doors. By way of an example,each animal could have an individual partitioned space with its own gateto the exterior of the shipping container 10. The enclosure gate 110 canalso be used to separate sick livestock to provide them with more spaceor easier access for treatment, but also provides a health benefit tothe remaining healthy animals.

FIG. 3 illustrates a more detailed isometric view of an embodimentwhereby similar elements previously described are illustrated with thesame reference numbers. In this isometric view, the horizontal partition74 is broken away in order to provide a better view of the feedpartition 66 including the pieces making up the vertical partition 76.The vertical partition 66 can generally be seen within a shippingcontainer 60, separating a livestock storage area 62 from a feed storagearea 64. The vertical partition 76 is illustrated along a vertical axis,but the vertical partition 76 can be tilted between about 1 and 20degrees off the vertical axis, in order to provide more floor space tolivestock and more room for retrieving feed above the feed partition 66.Similarly, the horizontal partition 74 can be slanted to promote gravityfeeding into the substantially vertical sidewall space 63. As such, thesubstantially vertical sidewall space the substantially horizontaloverhead space should be understood to include partitions slanted up to20 degrees off the vertical and horizontal respectively.

A first trough 68 a and second trough 68 b can be seen along with afirst, second, third, and forth nose operated water bowl. The verticalpartition 76 can more clearly be seen as a collection of vertical spacedmembers 79 and crossbeams 78. The crossbeams 78 are specificallyillustrated as a first crossbeam 78 a, a second crossbeam 78 b, and athird crossbeam 78 c, a fourth crossbeam 78 d, and a fifth crossbeam 78e. In one embodiment, the feed partition 66 can be viewed as an upperportion 84 from about the third crossbeam 78 c upwards and as a lowerportion 86 from about the third crossbar 78 c downward. In onenon-limiting embodiment, the distinction between the upper portion 84and the lower portion 86 can be either in about the center of thevertical partition 76, or can be at the height of the catwalk 70.

As previously described, each of the vertical spaced members 79 canprovide sufficient spacing for livestock to access the first trough 68 aand the second trough 86 b in the substantially vertical sidewall space63 of the feed storage area 64. FIG. 3 further illustrates lower portion86 having the third crossbeam 78 c and the fourth crossbeam 78 dsufficiently vertically spaced to enable livestock, such as bovine, toaccess each of the troughs 68 in a feed space opening 81. The lowerportion 86 can be configured in any number of ways so long as feed spaceopenings 81 exist in the vertical partition 76 through which livestockcan access the troughs 68. The feed space openings 81 can be coordinatedin size and spacing according to the livestock being transported helpingto ensure measured portions of feed can be accessed by livestock. In oneembodiment, the vertical spaced members 79 can be slidably adjustablewithin the feed partition 66 and lockable into different configurations.In this way feed partition 66 can be reconfigured, or customized, forthe specific species of livestock being transported.

The upper portion 84 provides smaller spacing between the firstcrossbeam 78 a and the second crossbeam 78 b as compared to the thirdcrossbeam 78 c and the fourth crossbeam 78 d and can serve to protectpersonnel, such as attendants, on the catwalk 70 from livestock in thelivestock storage area 62. Other configurations are contemplated for useherein. For example, the first crossbeam 78 a and the second crossbeam78 b, as well as the vertical spaced members 79 in the upper portion 84can be replaced with diagonal members, just vertical members, justhorizontal members, or any combination thereof. The upper portion 84could be replaced with a solid material, such as plywood or sheet metal,or with a mesh or chain link, or an appropriate combination thereof. Inanother embodiment, regardless of the material used, the upper portion84 can contain additional openings which can allow attendants to accessthe livestock storage area 62 from selected locations on the catwalk 70.

In an alternative non-limiting embodiment, the feed partition 66 can beprovided with a mechanical or automated means for actuating feed 72,such as pellets or gain, from the substantially horizontal overheadspace 61 of the feed storage area 64 into the trough 68 in thesubstantially vertical sidewall space 63 of the feed storage area 64. Asone example, a mechanical lever can be operatively connected to amechanism for gravity feeding the trough 68 from the substantiallyhorizontal overhead space 61, or for releasing feed 72 from thesubstantially horizontal overhead space 61. The mechanism can include anauger along the length of the substantially horizontal overhead space61, wherein the auger can be dimensioned to pick up feed or pellets asit turns and drop the feed or pellets from the substantially horizontaloverhead space 61 into the feed trough below. The auger can include amanual means for actuation or an automated means for actuation.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the first 20 or the second 22sidewall of the shipping container 10 can include a plurality of doors.Additional internal partitions can be included on the interior of thecontainer corresponding to these doors for creating a plurality ofsmaller, or even individual, livestock storage spaces. Such anembodiment would permit loading and unloading containers by individualanimal, or by small groups of animals, and may be desirable if more thanone type on animal is loaded on one container, or for shippingcontainers to be loaded or unloaded at more than one location.

Other embodiments can relate to increasing the efficiency of theshipment process. For example, in one embodiment, the livestock can beshipped with milking machines. In another embodiment, the process ofidentifying the livestock can be improved by the inclusion of radiofrequency identification tags (“RFID tag”), thereby reducing down timeat ports or other locations where livestock must be inventoried byallowing animals to be identified from the exterior of the shippingcontainer. RFID tags 440 (seen in FIG. 9) used in conjunction with adetector and software can provide information about livestock therebyspeeding up, loading times, unloading times, and any checks that mightbe run at various stages of the trip. In order to facilitate the use ofRFID tags, additional hardware and software can be installed in thecontrol box 30 (seen in FIG. 1A) including at least a radio frequencytransceiver, for both detecting RFID tags 440 (seen in FIG. 9) on thelivestock within the shipping container 10 and for transmittingcontainer specific information to second location.

FIG. 4A illustrates an alternative embodiment where feed in a shippingcontainer 10, such as hay or compressed hay 122, can be stored along aninterior wall 124, similar to the vertical partition previouslydescribed, in a sidewall storage space 130. Like the vertical partition,the interior wall 124 can have a feed space opening 126 towards thebottom permitting livestock to feed from hay gravity fed to that area.In one embodiment the entire interior wall 124 can provide openings forlivestock to feed on the hay or compressed hay. For example, theinterior wall 124 can be constructed from a ladder like configuration ofmetallic members providing access to the sidewall storage space 130along the entire length of the interior wall 124. The members can bespaced to permit livestock to access the feed and a wide variety ofmaterials can be in their construction. In one embodiment the interiorwall 124 can be constructed from a relatively solid material, the haycan be locked into position allowing the periodic release of measuredportions of hay into the feed space opening 126.

In a similar embodiment, a first stop can be formed in the interiorsidewall space to prevent the gravity feeding of pellets, grain or hayinto the area accessible by livestock. A second stop can be configuredfor releasing a measured amount of feed for release by the first stop.In one non-limiting embodiment with pelletized feed, the stops can bevalves for releasing measured amounts of feed. The valves can bemechanically or remotely actuated.

FIG. 4B illustrates an embodiment with horizontal component, similar tothe horizontal partition, in the form of a slanted ceiling 128 forstoring a larger volume of feed such as hay, similar to a horizontalpartition discussed with other embodiments. The slope of the ceiling canbe adjusted so gravity urges hay or compressed hay 122 towards thestorage area as the accessible hay is consumed. A further embodiment isenvisioned where feed such as hay can be stored on the floor.

FIGS. 5A and B illustrate a non-limiting embodiment of the shippingcontainer 10 comprising a hopper 150. The hopper 150 can be located witha trough 68 on the exterior of a feed partition 66, as illustrated inFIG. 2A-C. The primary difference in the embodiment of FIG. 5 is theinclusion of pelletized feed or grain in a hopper 150 for gravityfeeding into the trough 68. In the depicted embodiment, feed can bereleased without necessitating an attendant accessing feed 72 storedabove the livestock storage area. Instead, feed can be store in a hopperfor a measured delivery. Feed from the hopper can be released manuallyor automatically. As one example, the release of feed from the hopper150 can be regulated by a stopper 152 in the form of an adjustablecover. The stopper 152 can include a plurality of openings which canalign with openings in the hopper 150 for releasing feed into thetrough. The stopper 152 can be manually manipulated into an openposition for releasing feed, or can be actuated by a timer 25 (Seen inFIG. 1). In one embodiment, the hopper 150 can be fitted with a servomotor on a timer for releasing measured amounts of feed at regularintervals. This embodiment can provide for a more automated method offeeding livestock during a long shipment. FIG. 5B illustrates but oneembodiment of a hopper 150 for use with the shipping containers,however, other hopper designs and configurations are contemplated foruse in conjunction with the other features of the shipping containerspresented herein. For example, the hopper 150 can be replaced with agravity feed feeder, or with a volumetric feeder, which permits adesignated amount of feed to pass hourly. Similarly, auger feeders canbe used in conjunction with the embodiments presented herein.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the hopper 150 further comprises atiming mechanism for releasing predetermined amounts of feed atpredetermined intervals. For example, a timer and an actuating arm canbe used wherein the actuating arm is adjusted at predetermined intervalsfor moving the adjustable cover in order to allow feed to pass throughthe outlet of the feed holding container. Alternatively, hoppers andaugers, such as those available from Auger Feeders, of Westchester Pa.,US can be used.

In still another embodiment, an automated system can include a scannerfor scanning, bar codes, RFID tags or other indicators with each animal.A predetermined amount of feed can be released for livestock per hour asthe animal attempts to access the feed trough and is identified. In thismanner, feed can be conserved and each animal is provided an improvedopportunity with the available feed.

Certain aspects contained herein relate to the sharing of commonresources between at least two shipping containers, and particularlymultiple shipping containers for shipping livestock. For example, acommon source of drinking water and/or electricity can be provided to anarray of livestock shipping containers. In one embodiment, the commonresource comprises fresh drinking water delivered to a plurality ofshipping containers through a water delivery system. In order to achievethis system, shipping containers can be configured into an array ofcontainers or multiple arrays of containers, whereby a pressurized watersource continuously supplies each of the connected shipping containerswithin the array or multiple arrays. Such a system can include a watersource connected to a pressure source for pressurizing the water in adelivery line to the shipping containers.

The water source of the water delivery system can include a modifiedballast tank of the shipping vessel or other water tanks brought aboardthe shipping vessel, such as a liquid shipping container, a containerhousing a plastic tank, or a container housing a bladder. In order forthe ballast tank of a shipping vessel to be used as a source of drinkingwater, the ballast tank must be pressure washed to remove contaminantsand microorganisms present in the previous ballast water. Optionally,the interior of the ballast tank can be coated or painted in order tofurther maintain the purity of fresh drinking water. New ballast watercan then be added at a port in the form of fresh water to any embodimentof the water tank. In another aspect plastic tanks or bladderspre-filled with drinking water can be loaded into shipping containers.These tanks and bladders can be secured within shipping containers toprevent damage. In yet another aspect, liquid shipping containers can befilled with water and loaded along with the other shipping containers.

The pressure source of the water delivery system can be a ballast pumpin communication with the ballast tank for pumping the water to either adeck, to individual shipping containers, or to an intermediate watertank. An intermediate water tank can be stored on the same level as, orabove, the shipping containers for supplying the shipping containerswith water or for circulating water through the shipping containers. Theintermediate water tank can be stored within a shipping container, ormay comprise a bladder stored within a shipping container. In anotherembodiment, the pressure source can comprises a circulation pump incommunication with a liquid shipping container, or a water tank orbladder housed in a shipping container. In one embodiment, where thepump is electrically powered, a second back up source of power can beprovided so as to keep the pump active in the event the primary sourceof power is lost during shipment. In another embodiment, a second pumpcan be provided for redundancy in case the first pump is lost or damagedduring transport.

A delivery line can then supply water to the at least two shippingcontainers in the array of shipping containers. The delivery line canrun to the at least two shipping containers in parallel or in series.The delivery line can connect directly to piping or hoses withinshipping containers or can be connected through supply lines with a shutoff valves. The delivery line can include a single delivery line forsupplying a plurality of shipping containers, or the delivery line cancomprise a number of lines which each supply single shipping containersor groups of shipping containers. The delivery lines can include, or bebranched into, one or more supply lines. The supply lines can eachinclude shut off valves allowing for water to be cut off to oneparticular shipping container in the event of a leak, while the watersupply continues uninterrupted to the remaining shipping containers. Thedelivery lines can be constructed from cross linked polyethylene tubing,polypropylene, or from other corrosion resistant polymers and polymerswith a relatively low glass transition temperature so they retain theirflexibility at or below freezing temperatures. Other corrosion resistantand freeze resistant materials known for circulating water are alsocontemplated for use herein.

In one aspect the delivery lines can connect to individual shippingcontainers through supply lines, which can either be connected theshipping container in series or in parallel. Each of the supply linescan be connected through a shut off valve. In this way, shippingcontainers presenting leaks or other problems can individually be shutoff while the leaks are fixed. The supply lines can be connected toindividual shipping containers or can supply groups of shippingcontainers, such as rows of shipping containers.

Turning now to FIG. 6, which is a schematic representation thatillustrates an embodiment of a water delivery system on board a shippingvessel 200. The shipping vessel 200 is illustrated with a hull 202 and aballast tank 204 filled partially with ballast water 208. In thisparticular embodiment, the ballast tank 204 comprises the water source.In order to use ballast water 208 as suitable drinking water, theballast tanks 204 must be cleaned and filled with fresh water.Typically, ballast tanks 204 are filled with seawater when in port andthis will not provide suitable drinking water. The pressure source isillustrated as a ballast pump 224 connected to a water line 210 forpumping ballast water 208 to the surface 206 of the shipping vessel 200.Once at the surface 206, ballast water 208 can be pumped to a firstshipping container 212 having an intermediate water tank 222. In otherembodiments, the intermediate tank can comprise the water source and canbe loaded onto the shipping vessel filled with a quantity of water. Fromthere, a delivery line 226 delivers water to each of a second shippingcontainer 214, a third shipping container 216 and a fourth shippingcontainer 218 and a fifth shipping container 220. The second container214 and each subsequent container can be livestock containers, likethose previously described.

FIG. 7A illustrates one arrangement of shipping containers in an arrayof columns and rows whereby the ballast pump 224 can supply a pluralityof supply lines 230 in parallel through a single delivery line 226,including a first shipping container 212, which may include a water tankor a water bladder. Optionally, a return line 232 can connect back tothe first shipping container 212 creating a closed circuit. The closedcircuit created by the return line 232 allows water to be continuouslycirculated through the delivery line 226. Continuously circulating waterin this fashion provides an advantage by helping to prevent water fromfreezing and damaging the water lines.

FIG. 7B illustrates an embodiment where a manifold 228 enables multipledelivery lines 226 from the first shipping container 212, one for eachillustrated row of shipping containers. Each delivery line 226 still hasparallel supply lines 230 for each shipping container in the respectiverows. The number of shipping containers in a row is not limited to four,as illustrated, but will be a function of the space available on ashipping vessel for shipping containers. Similarly, the numbers of rowsare not limited to three, but any number of rows suitable for shippingcan be employed. A manifold 228, or a series of manifolds, can be usedto divide a delivery line 226 into groups of parallel delivery lines. Inone aspect, manifold 228 can be used in place of, or in conjunctionwith, the intermediate water storage tank 222. In one aspect, the firstpump can provide pressurized water from the water source, such as theballast tank or liquid shipping container, to the manifold which cansubsequently delivery water through a plurality of delivery lines toindividual shipping containers or groups of shipping containers. Shutoff valves 231 are illustrated with one row of shipping containers, butthey can be used with each shipping container, or at each manifold inthe event of multiple manifolds. In another aspect, water can be pumpedto the intermediate water tank then through the manifold for splittinginto a plurality of delivery lines.

FIG. 7C illustrates an alternative embodiment, where each of the eachshipping containers, including the first shipping container 212, can besupplied in series with a single delivery line 226. This embodiment caninclude a return line for continuously circulating pressurized water inthe delivery line and a pump for supplying water or for continuouslycirculating water.

FIG. 8A relates to a schematic representation of the water deliverysystem in accordance with particular embodiments of the presentinvention. The ballast tank 312 can be filled with fresh water prior toshipment. The ballast tank 312 can include the ballast tank of ashipping vessel as well as a liquid shipping container, such as thoseused for shipping liquids. In order to ensure the fresh water is notcontaminated, previous water can be drained from the ballast tank 312and the interior of the tank can be pressure washed. In someembodiments, the interior of the ballast tank can be painted orrepainted after a certain number of uses or at specified intervals oftime. Fresh water can be drawn from the ballast tank 312 through aballast pump 318. A filter or a filtration system 320 can be connectedto the ballast tank 312, to help ensure metals, sediment, debris,microorganisms, and other potential health threats are removed from thedrinking water. The water filtration system 320 can comprise a singlestage, or multiple stage system which can be selected from: carbonfilters, reverse osmosis, a distiller, an alkaline water machine,ultraviolet light, and other known water filters and filtering devices.In an alternative embodiment, such a system can be located within, or inline with, each shipping container to which water is supplied. This canbe done in addition to, or in lieu of, illustrated filtration system320.

After passing through the filtration system 320, water can be passed tothe intermediate tank 310. The intermediate tank 310 can be containedwithin a standard shipping container. Such a tank can include a rigidplastic water tank, or a bladder. The water tank can hold thousands totens of thousands of gallons of water. A bladder can be a flexible,expandable pouch which remains flat until filled with water. Eachbladder or the rigid plastic container can be secured within theshipping container to prevent movement. Rocking of the shipping vesselat sea can put a great deal of stress on the rigid plastic container andthe forces generated by water sloshing around within a shippingcontainer can cause damage to the shipping container so care should betaken to secure these shipping containers. The intermediate water tank310 can also be shipping container designed for liquids.

The intermediate tank 310 can be loaded onto the shipping vessel filledwith drinking water thereby bypassing the need for the ballast pump andfor storing drinking water in the ballast tank. In one embodiment,shipping containers with plastic tanks or bladders are loaded onto theshipping vessel filled with drinking water. Similarly, in anotheraspect, liquid shipping containers 340 can be cleaned and filled withdrinking water for supplying drinking water to each of the shippingcontainers housing livestock. The number of tanks or containers willvary based upon the number and size of livestock, the weatherconditions, and the duration of transport. Livestock, cattlespecifically, consume roughly between about 5-20 gallons of water peranimal per day. Therefore, the number of required tanks can bedetermined based upon the number of livestock and on the expectedduration of the shipment.

The ballast pump 318 can be run continuously or can be automatically ormanually activated based on the water level of the intermediate tank310. Circulation pump 316 can draw water out of the intermediate tank310 for supplying one or more shipping containers 314. The one or moreshipping containers 314 are represented as single block but should beunderstood to include multiple shipping containers supplied in series bya single pressurized line, multiple shipping containers supplied inparallel by multiple pressurized lines, or multiple shipping containerssupplied by a combination of lines in parallel and in series. Theshipping containers 314 can be any of those previously described.Regardless of the exact configuration with which shipping containers aresupplied, a return line 322 can connect back to the intermediate tank310. The return line 322 allows water to be continuously run through thepressurized lines.

FIG. 8B illustrates an alternative embodiment where similar partsreceive the same numbers as in FIG. 8A. In FIG. 8B, a ballast pump 318draws drinking water from the ballast tank 312 through a filtrationsystem and directly into delivery line 326 and to a tank 330 which canbe contained in a shipping container with livestock. Delivery line 326can supply a plurality of tanks 330 within a plurality of shippingcontainers in series. Individual tanks can them be filled by running theballast pump 318 and opening a valve at the desired tank 330. FIG. 8Billustrates an alternative embodiment where a manifold 328 splits thedelivery line 326 into at least a second delivery line 336 and a thirddelivery line 338. The second delivery line 336 is illustrated supplyinga second tank 332, which should be understood to include a secondplurality of tanks supplied in series or in parallel. Similarly, a thirddelivery line 338 is illustrated supplying a third tank 334, whichshould be understood to include a single tank or a plurality of tankssupplied in series or in parallel.

It should be appreciated the manifold 328 can have more than two extrabranches. For example, the manifold 328 can be used to supply as many assixteen delivery lines. Further, additional manifolds can be used inorder to further split the water delivery lines dependent upon thearrangement of contains on a shipping vessel, as many manifolds can beused as needed to supply each shipping container with its own tank.

FIG. 8C illustrates an embodiment where drinking water is not suppliedfrom a ballast tank, but is supplied from a liquid shipping container340, which can be loaded onto the vessel pre-filled with drinking water.Liquid shipping containers 340 are available from a number ofmanufactures including WEW Westerwälder Eisenwerk GmbH, of WeitefeildGermany. Such a liquid shipping container 340 can be loaded onto thesurface of a shipping vessel or in the hull of a shipping vessel storinga predetermined amount of drinking water. While reference is made to aspecific type of container, it should be appreciated a variety ofshipping containers can house a variety of water tanks or bladders forthe same purpose. The number of liquid shipping containers 340 thatmight be used on a particular trip can depend upon the capacity of theliquid shipping containers, the duration of the trip, and the volume ofwater required by the livestock per day. It should be understood, theshipping containers 314 are a schematic representation of a plurality ofshipping containers which can be configured as an array of shippingcontainers 314 supplied water in series, in parallel, or in somecombination thereof. Multiple arrays of shipping containers can beplaced on the deck or in the hull of a shipping vessel, and each arraycan include one or more liquid shipping containers 340.

In the illustrated embodiment, a circulation pump 316 directs water tothe shipping containers 314. As previously described, the shippingcontainers 314 can be arranged in any number of configurations orarrays. Water can be supplied to smaller tanks within each shippingcontainer or can be supplied to pressurized water lines connected tonose operated water bowls. Each of these embodiments can include areturn line 322. In one embodiment, purification units, or filters, canbe provided with the liquid shipping container 340, or in the waterlines connecting the shipping containers 314 to the liquid shippingcontainers 340.

Some embodiments described herein relate to a system of shippingcontainers, or arrays of shipping containers, which share commonresources, such as a common supply of drinking water and a common supplyof electrical power, which may interchangeably be referred to as a firstcommon resource and a second common resource. The common supply ofdrinking water can be achieved through any of the systems previouslydescribed.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of multiple shipping containersinterconnected to share both the common sources of water, such asdrinking water, and electricity, or electrical power. Container 400 canbe a water container housing a water tank 402 and a water pump 404 forsupplying water to the remaining shipping containers. Each of a firstcontainer 406, second container 410, and a third container 412 areillustrated with a schematic representation of livestock 426. By way ofan example, the water container 400 can be directly linked to a firstcontainer 406 through a pipe or a hose 408. The first pipe or hose 408is illustrated with an insulating material 434 to help prevent waterfrom freezing. Any suitable plumbing or piping known to those ofordinary skill in the art can also be used. Any water connections canfurther be heated with heating coils to prevent problems with watersupply to the livestock. Pipes external to the shipping containers canbe insulated by tape, a coating or sheath, as well as, constructed fromcross-linked polymers, such as cross linked polyethylene to preventfreezing and associated disruptions to the water supply. In thealternative to a water tank, water can be supplied from the waterballast tank of the shipping vessel. In the event water is used from theballast tank, it must be processed or purified in order to remove salt,sediment, and/or microorganisms before being supplied to the livestockas drinking water.

Water can also be stored internally with each shipping container. Watercan be stored in a large tank, in a bladder, or in several smallertanks. The amount of water in each tank should be sufficient for thenumber of livestock supplied by each tank and the length of the voyage.Those in the livestock industry can further appreciate the water needsof individual animals can vary with the weight of the livestock, as wellas with the temperature and weather exposure of the livestock. Each ofthese factors should be considered when providing an external watersource to the shipping containers, or internal water sources to theshipping containers.

A generator 414 can be located on top of the first shipping container406 and can be connected at an electrical panel as previously described.In the alternative, the first shipping container 406 can be suppliedpower from a source on the shipping vessel. The power can be networkedin series, in parallel, or in a combination thereof to each of theremaining shipping containers. In an alternative embodiment, power canbe supplied from the shipping vessel, eliminating the need for thegenerator 414. In such an embodiment, the container 400 can be a utilitycontainer including each of the water tank 402, a transformer forstepping down power received from the shipping vessel, and pumps forcirculating water from the water tank 402.

The first shipping container 406 is illustrated with a layer of padding430 on the interior walls. The padding 430 can serve to protectlivestock 426 within the container 406 from impacting metallic wallspipes and connections through transport. An absorbent bedding layer 428is also illustrated within the containers for absorbing waste producedby livestock 426 in transit. The absorbing bedding layer 428 can beconstructed from any of saw dust, wood shavings, pine chips, rice chips,hay, straw, powder, combinations thereof, and layers thereof.

The second shipping container 410 can be located in horizontalrelationship to the first shipping container 406, as illustrated in FIG.9. The second shipping container 410 can be supplied with electricity byan electrical connection 418 to the first shipping container 406 and canbe supplied with water from the first shipping container 406 through awaterline 416. The waterline 416 can be a pipe or hose constructed froma galvanized metal or a polymer or rubber. The waterline 416 can becovered with an insulating material 436, or can be configured with aheating means, such as a heating coil, or an insulating layer. In thealternative, the water can be heated in order to prevent the formationof ice. Alternatively, the second shipping container 410 can be suppliedwith water and electricity in parallel with the first shipping container406. The second shipping container 410 can include a traction surface432 to help provide livestock with sturdy footholds in the shippingcontainers. The traction surface 432 can include a corrugated surface, ametal or rubber mesh, or other surfaces including bars, crossbars, orhalf bars on the floor.

A third shipping container 412 is illustrated in a vertical relationshipto the second shipping container 410. In one aspect the third shippingcontainer 412 should include a liquid tight seal beneath the absorbentbedding layer 428 to prevent waste from leaking into the second shippingcontainer 410. By way of a non-limiting example, a plastic layer can beplaced under the absorbent bedding layer for the purpose retainingfluids. In the alternative, a drain pan can be implemented for thecontrolled draining of waste materials. The third shipping container 412can be connected to the second shipping container 410 by a hose 420, andby an electrical connection 418, but can also be supplied in waterand/or electricity in parallel with the first and the second shippingcontainers. The hose 420 can be supplied within an insulating material438 to help prevent water from freezing. The livestock 426 illustratedin the third contained is illustrated with an RFID tag 440, or radiofrequency identification tag 440. It should be appreciated eachlivestock 426 can similarly include a tag.

The configuration illustrated in FIG. 9 serves as an example, andvarious arrangements of water delivery systems disclosed herein arecontemplated for use with various electrical systems disclosed hereinfor supplying arrays of containers with multiple resources.

Each shipping container can include a number of electrical devicesrequiring a supply of electric power. These devices can include, but arenot limited to internal lights, heating devices, cooling devices, andfans. Each electrical device can require 440, 220, 110, or any otherstandard voltage to operate. Cargo vessels, on the other hand, tend togenerate power at 440 volts and most electrical devices may not beadapted for use with such a high voltage. Some electrical devices, suchas certain fans, can operate at 440 volts, but often the shippingcontainer will be provided electrical power on the ground from adifferent source, which may run at 220 volts. Turning now to FIG. 10A, aschematic for supplying each of a plurality of shipping containers withelectrical power is illustrated. An external power source 500, which cangenerate power, such as three phase 440 or 220 volt electrical currents,is depicted in communication with a transformer 502. The transformer 502is illustrated as a single unit, but can comprise a plurality of unitsfor receiving power at different voltages and outputting power atdifferent voltages by stepping up or stepping down the power supply. Inthis way, must standard electrical devices can be assured to receivepower in the shipping containers so long as a connection is available toa conventional power source, regardless of whether the source of poweris 220 volts or 440. The external power source 500 can include a powersource located on the shipping vessel or generators brought onboard withthe shipping containers. For example, the external power source 500 canbe one selected from a gas powered generator, a solar powered generator,a hydrogen powered generated, or combinations thereof. This singletransformer 502 can step the voltage down and can be used to supplymultiple shipping containers, such as a first shipping container 504 a,a second shipping container 504 b, a third shipping container 504 c, anda fourth shipping container 504 d. The first shipping container 504 acan be like the one depicted in FIG. 1 having an electrical connection32 for receiving a power supply at a control box 30. The control box 30can include fuses and switches and output lines for powering electricaldevices within the shipping container such as lights 506 a, a heatingelement 508 a, a first fan 510 a and a second fan 512 a. The embodimentdepicted in FIG. 10A illustrates each of the shipping containers beingsupplied in parallel from the transformer 502.

FIG. 10B illustrates an embodiment where each shipping container issupplied power in parallel directly from the generator 500. In thisembodiment, the first shipping container 504 a includes a firsttransformer 502 a, while the second shipping container 504 b includes asecond transformer 502 b, and the third 502 c and fourth shippingcontainers 502 d include third 502 c and fourth transformers 502 b,respectively. Each shipping container can include individualtransformers for powering each electrical device in the respectiveshipping containers. In another embodiment, the configuration of FIG.10A can be supplemented with second transformers in individual shippingcontainers. In such an embodiment, the first transformer can step downthe power produced by the generator, and second transformers, locatedwith each shipping container, can further step the power down, or stepthe power up, depending on the power requirements of the electricaldevices within the shipping containers.

FIG. 10C illustrates another embodiment where the generator 500communicates directly with a transformer 502, for stepping down thepower. The transformer 502 then feeds each of the first shippingcontainer 504 a, second shipping container 504 b, third shippingcontainer 504 c, and forth shipping container 504 d in series.

Similarly, FIG. 10D illustrates a generator 500 connected in series witheach of the shipping containers. Like the embodiment described in FIG.10B, each shipping container can include a transformer for stepping downpower delivered from the generator 500.

Regardless of the configuration used to supply power to the containers504, or to the electrical devices in the containers 500, it may bedesirable to have water tight seals at each electrical connection. Itmay further be desirable to use waterproof lines from the generator 500or transformer 502 to the container 504 and from the containers to theirrespective electrical devices. Otherwise, these lines and connectionsmay be at risk from exposure to the elements, such as rain and oceanwater. The connections can be further reinforced, particularly those onthe interior of a container, to prevent damage from livestock which canchew on, or play with, lines and connections. In the event electricallines are run within a shipping container, they can be set as flush aspossible with the interior surface of the shipping container to minimizecontact with livestock. For example, some lines may be run on theinterior of the container for powering internal light sources. Theseconnections can be waterproof, and the lights themselves can constructin a water resistant configuration.

FIGS. 11A-B illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of shipping containersystems for stacking shipping containers carrying livestock including aspacer with an external catwalk and railing. A first container 612 withan opening 622 can be loaded onto the deck of a shipping vessel. Theopening 622, can be like the personnel openings described in embodimentsof specific shipping containers previously discussed, and can beaccessible from the deck of the shipping vessel. A second shippingcontainer 610, with a similar opening 620 can be stacked on top of aspacer 614, which can be itself stacked on the first container 612. Thespacer 614 can extend further than each of the containers providing anexternal catwalk convenient to the personnel opening 620 of the secondcontainer 610. As one example, the spacer 614 can substantially matchthe length and width of the shipping container, except that it canextend outwards at a front portion. A major drawback to stackingshipping containers for livestock can be that an attendant mustgenerally access each container in order to ensure livestock have accessto food and water and to monitor the health of the livestock duringshipment. Scaffolding and other ladders may not provide the sturdysupport necessitated by the motion of a shipping vessel in combinationwith the potentially hazardous weather on the open sea.

The spacer 614 nested or mated with the top surface of the firstcontainer 612 and can further be secured by the weight of the secondcontainer 610 to ensure the external catwalk provides a sturdy elevatedsurface. Rails 616 can provide some protection from falling, however, asafety harness may also be used with the disclosed embodiment to furtherreduce the potential injuries. The railing 616 can be provided with aleft rail 626, a back rail 628 and a right rail 630 and generallyoutlines the external catwalk portion of the spacer 614. Each portion ofthe railing 616 can be rigidly affixed to the spacer 614 by welding orother means, or each section of railing 616 can be removably attached tothe spacer 614.

A ladder 618 can pass through the spacer 614 at an opening 624. Theladder 618 and opening 624 provide access to the external catwalkportion of the spacer 614 for entry into the second container 610.

FIG. 11C illustrates a non-limiting embodiment having three groups ofstacked containers with a common ladder 618. The first container group610 includes a spacer 614 having an opening 624 for a ladder, but onlywith the left railing 626 and the back railing 628. A bridge 632 can beprovided to a second container group 640 which has a spacer 644illustrated with a railing 646 having only a back railing. The bridge632 can be locked into place once the containers and spacers are stackedinto place. The bridge 632 can also include rails in order to helpprevent falling injuries between the container stacks.

A second bridge 648 can connect the second container group 640 to athird container group 650, the third container 650 having a spacer 654and a railing 656. The illustrated arrangement of railing and bridgesprovides a single entry for accessing the personnel openings of multiplecontainers on a second level of containers.

Standard openings or slots on each corner of the shipping containerenable secured stacking and locking. However, stacking livestockshipping containers presents an additional hazard to personnelresponsible for entering the shipping containers to feed livestock. Aladder can be provided adjacent to the personnel opening welded to theexterior of the shipping container. Harnesses and other additionalprecautions may be taken for accessing any such shipping container abovethe bottom level.

Methods of Shipping Livestock

One non-limiting embodiment relates to a method of transportinglivestock. An example of this embodiment will be described, primarilywith reference to FIG. 2A-D, although features from other figures canreadily be implemented with this method. The method can include the stepof separating a shipping container 10 into a livestock storage area 62and feed storage area 64. This step of separation can be achieved withthe installation of a feed partition 66 dividing the interior of ashipping container 10 into separate areas. The feed storage area 64 cancomprise a continuous opening formed from a substantially horizontaloverhead space 61 and a substantially vertical sidewall space 63. Feed72 can then be loaded in the feed storage area 62 for storage, and morespecifically can be stored in the substantially horizontal overheardspace 61. Livestock 426 (seen in FIG. 9) can be loaded into thelivestock storage area 64 for transport. Separation can be maintainedbetween the livestock 426 and feed 72 stored in the substantiallyhorizontal overhead space 61. A trough 68 can be provided in thesubstantially vertical sidewall space 63 of the feed storage space 64,accessible by livestock 426 in the livestock storage space 62.Periodically, measured amounts of feed 72 can be released from theinaccessible position in the substantially horizontal overhead space 61to the accessible location in the trough 68. This inaccessible positionin the substantially horizontal overhead space 61 can be reached via acatwalk 70 connected to a feed partition 66, and this catwalk 70 can beaccessed from a personnel opening 38 (Seen in FIG. 1) to the exterior ofthe shipping container 10. The feed 72 can be released in roughly equalportions throughout the duration of a trip. These allocated portions offeed can be considered measured portions of feed and can be rationed outin equal volumes each day during shipment. The volume of the measuredportion of feed can depend on the weight of livestock in a particularcontainer and can be sufficient to facilitate weight gain by thelivestock throughout shipment. The feed portions can be measured andadjusted for consuming the majority of feed during a trip, andparticularly can be adjusted to promote healthy weight gain whileminimizing the waste produced during transport. In one non-limitingembodiment the feed can be sufficient for a one week trip. In anotherembodiment feed can be supplied for a two week trip, and in yet anotherembodiment feed can be provided for three weeks of transport, or even upto a forty five day trip. The number of livestock and the weight oflivestock in each container should dictated the amount of feed eachcontainer is provided on a daily basis.

In another embodiment, bedding, such an absorbent bedding layer 428(seen in FIG. 9) can be applied at the bottom of the shipping container.Any of the bedding materials previously described can be used, and canbe applied in multiple layers. In this embodiment, the absorbent beddinglayer can be initially laid down before cattle enters the container, andadditional layers can be subsequently added throughout the shipment.

For the purpose of periodically releasing measured amounts of feed 72,pelletized feed 72 can be stored separately from the livestock forperiodic release in measured amounts. The feed 72 can be releasedmanually, by an automated means, or can be actuated with a deviceproviding a mechanical advantage. As one example, feed 72 can be storedin a side wall or above the livestock and can be released. Additionally,feed 72 can be released from the wall or from above the livestock by theactuation of a mechanical means, such as a lever or a crank, adapted forreleasing feed 72. The feed 72 itself, in one embodiment, can bepelletized feed 72 fortified with nutrients and/or antibiotics. For thisembodiment, any of the previously described shipping containers can beused, even those adapted for the serial delivery of water andelectricity.

Another non-limiting embodiment relates to an improved method oftransporting livestock and can be discussed primarily with reference toFIG. 12. This method can be used in conjunction with the previouslydescribed methods of shipping and with previously described shippingcontainers 760. The method can include the first step of loadinglivestock onto a plurality of ground transports 750 at a firstdestination 700. The first destination 700, in one embodiment, can be aquarantine location; however, ports and other destinations areenvisioned with embodiments of this method. The ground transports 750can take the livestock to an intermediate destination 710, such as aport. At the intermediate destination 710 the livestock can be unloadedfrom the ground transport 750 and loaded into shipping containers 760.As but one example, the ground transports 750 can be unloadedindividually for filing livestock single file into a series of shippingcontainers 760 lined up in a row for loading. The livestock can besequentially unloaded from a series of ground transports 750. When ashipping container 760 in the row is full, that shipping container 760can be closed and livestock can then be directed to a subsequentshipping container, until the subsequent shipping container is alsofull. The loaded shipping containers 760 can be transferred to ashipping vessel 770.

In another embodiment, the ground transports 750 can be loaded with thesame shipping containers 760 for a direct transfer onto the shippingvessel 770. In one embodiment, the shipping containers 760 can beunloaded from the ground transport 750 and placed on a dock 720 to awaitlifting onto a shipping vessel 770, while in another embodiment theshipping containers 760 can be lifted directly onto the shipping vessels770. The shipping containers 760 can be lifted with cranes 780 directlyon the deck 730 of the shipping vessel, or with cranes 780 located onthe port 730. The shipping containers 760 can be configured on the deck730 of the shipping vessel 760 or in the hull of the shipping vessel 770in rows with at least about 18 inches between the containers, with atleast about 12 inches between the containers, with at least about 6inches between the containers. The shipping containers 760 can bearranged on the deck 730 of the shipping vessel 770 into two or morerows, which can have between about two and eighty containers. Onceloaded onto the shipping vessel 770, the shipping containers 760 can becarried to the second destination 740.

The method can include providing a shipping container 760 configured forproviding livestock with food, water, protection from the elements, andan air exchange. The method can include the step of providing an atleast one generator for supplying power to shipping containers. Themethod can also include the step of supplying each shipping container760 with drinking water.

The shipping vessel 770 can be a small vessel, a large vessel, a vesseldesignated solely for shipping livestock, or a vessel carrying bulkgoods in addition to livestock. Once the shipping date is set, thelivestock can be quarantined at a first destination 700, such as anoffsite location, in accordance with any local or internationallivestock shipping requirements. The quarantine can begin the requirednumber of days before the shipment date. Optionally, female livestockcan be cycled with hormones and other treatments prior to thequarantine, then artificially inseminated a predetermined time beforethe designated shipment. Depending on the intended purpose of thelivestock at their destination, the cycled females can be inseminatedwith conventional sperm, or with sex sorted sperm. For example, if thelivestock comprise dairy cattle, they can be inseminated with sex sortedsperm for the purpose of producing female offspring. In another example,the female livestock can be inseminated with sex sorted sperm in orderto produce male offspring. The insemination can be timed such that thelivestock have a low chance of giving birth during shipment. Instead,the insemination can be timed so that the livestock produce theiroffspring after they have arrived at their final destination. It shouldbe appreciated for the shipment of impregnated livestock, particularlyheifers gestating embryos, temperatures and conditions become morerelevant to the health of the livestock and potential offspring.

Livestock can be loaded into specialized shipping containers 760 at thequarantine area 700, which are subsequently loaded onto groundtransports and taken to an intermediate destination 710, which can be adeparture port for the shipping vessel 770. In one embodiment, theshipping containers 760 can be lifted directly from the groundtransports onto the shipping vessel 770. In a different embodiment, thelivestock can be unloaded from the ground transports 750 into theshipping containers 760 previously described for loading onto theshipping vessel 770. The lifting of the shipping containers 760 can beachieved by either a crane 780 on the shipping vessel 770 or by a crane780 at the dock 720. In one aspect, the step of loading the shippingcontainers 760 onto the shipping vessel 770 can include, sequentiallydriving the ground transports up to the loading area 720 for theshipping vessel and individually lifting the shipping containers 760directly off each sequential ground transport 750 for placement on thedeck 730 of the shipping vessel 770 or in the hull of the shippingvessel 770. The shipping container 760 can be loaded onto the shippingvessel 760 in at least one row of two to eighty containers. The shippingcontainers 760 can be spaced about twelve inches apart in oneembodiment, or about six inches apart in another embodiment.

In another non-limiting embodiment the containers 760 can be evenlyloaded with livestock in order to reduce potential problems loading thecontainers onto the shipping vessel. Proportional numbers of livestockcan be loaded into proportional sections of the shipping containerssequentially. For example, one half of the livestock can be stored inthe back half of the shipping container 760, and then the second onehalf can be loaded into the front half of the container.

Another aspect relates to a method of transporting livestock over longdistances or long periods of time, and will be discussed primarily withreference to FIG. 1. The method can begin by providing at least onemodified shipping container 10. The modified shipping container 10 canbe modified to have ventilation openings 44, 46, 48, where theventilation openings can be reinforced. A portion of the shippingcontainer 10, or the entire bottom surface of the shipping container 10,can be sealed for preventing liquid and solid waste from escaping theshipping container 10. Because livestock are shipped among other drygoods, relying on the same loading equipment and dock space, it may befavorable that the shipping containers themselves do not impact the dockspace or the shipping vessel space. The shipping containers 10 can thenbe further modified for providing airflow. Livestock can then be loadedonto the modified shipping container 10, and the loaded shippingcontainer 10 can then be loaded onto a shipping vessel 770 (seen in FIG.12). These modifications can include providing an enclosure gate 110, aswell as a water connection 52 for receiving a supply of water and anelectrical connection 32 for receiving an electric supply of power.

In another embodiment, which can be used in combination with variousother methods described above, a method of transporting livestock on ashipping vessel 770 can begin with the step of accommodating at leastone shipping container 760 containing livestock on the deck of, or inthe hull of a shipping vessel 770. The method can continue with thesteps of generating a source of electricity supplied to the shippingcontainers and holding a supply of fresh water for supplying to the atleast one shipping container 760. Holding a supply of fresh water cancomprise the step of filling the ballast tank of shipping vessel withfresh water. The method can further comprise the steps of transportingthe at least one shipping container 760 from an intermediatedestination, such as a departure port, to a second destination 740, suchas a destination port, and maintaining the supply of electrical powerand drinking water to the at least one shipping container 760. Themethod can further include the step of selecting one of multiple ballasttanks for supplying the drinking water to the at least one shippingcontainer 760. For example, a shipping vessel may include more than oneballast tank, and the selection of the ballast tank for supplying waterto the shipping containers may be performed in order to maintain balancebetween the ballast tanks.

Turning now to FIG. 13A-C, a first group of shipping containers 810 isillustrated adjacent to a second group of shipping containers 820. Eachshipping container can include livestock, and can be modified for thepurpose of transporting livestock. Each group includes a series of rowsstacked two containers high, specifically a series of bottom containersstacked on a series of top containers. The bottom containers can rest ona supporting surface 860, which can be the deck of a shipping vessel,the hull of a shipping vessel, or another surface on a shipping vesselproviding support for stacks of shipping containers. The bottomcontainers can provide elevation to the top containers relative to thesupporting surface of the shipping vessel. In other embodiments theshipping containers can be stacked three, four, or even up to eightcontainers high. The first group of shipping containers 810 is separatedfrom the second group of shipping containers 820 by, and is adjacent to,a catwalk 850. For embodiments including additional levels of shippingcontainers the catwalk 850 can include additional levels providingaccess to shipping containers on every level. The catwalk 850 caninclude a first ladder 852, or a first ladder 852 and a second ladder854, in communication with the supporting surface 860 of the shippingvessel.

In one embodiment, a bottom container can be located at the outerperimeter of a shipping vessel. The supporting surface 860 can include aportion of the deck on a first side of the bottom shipping container andone or more pillars extending from a lower surface on a second side ofthe shipping container. In this embodiment the catwalk 850 can beconnected directly to the supporting surface near the first side of thebottom shipping container and can extend to the personnel opening.

FIGS. 13A-D illustrate a first group of container 810 facing a secondgroup of containers 820 separated by a catwalk 850. In particular, FIG.13D illustrates a first row 830 having a bottom container 808, with apersonnel opening 868, in the first group 810 upon which a top container802, having a personnel opening 862, is stacked. In the second group820, the first row 830 includes a bottom container 824, having apersonnel opening 880, upon which a top container 816, with a personnelopening 874, is stacked.

Similarly, a second row 832 includes a portion in the first group ofcontainers 810 having a bottom container 812, with a personnel opening870, and an top container 804, with a personnel opening 864, and aportion in the second group of containers 820 having an top container818, with a personnel opening 876, stacked on a bottom container 826with a personnel opening 882. A third row 834 is illustrated having aportion in the first group of containers 810 with an upper container806, with a personnel opening 866, stacked upon a lower container 814,with a personnel opening 884. Another portion of the third row 834 inthe second group of containers 820, adjacent to the first group,includes a top container 822, with a personnel opening 878, stacked upona bottom container 828, with a personnel opening.

Each of the containers can include a side, which can be considered thefront of the container, where the front of each container can include apersonnel opening. Each personnel opening can be latchably sealed with adoor. In certain embodiments, the front side of each top container inboth the first group of containers 810 and the second group ofcontainers 820 can be oriented adjacent to the catwalk 850. In this way,a single catwalk 850 can provide access to the top level of containersin both groups of containers. The catwalk 850 can include a first ladder852 and a second ladder 854 providing access to the top containers. Thepersonnel openings of the bottom containers can also be orientated onthe same side as the catwalk 850, or they can be oriented on theopposite side, or they can be oriented in some combination thereof.

The catwalk 850 can be secured into place between the first group ofshipping containers 810 and the second group of shipping containers 820.The catwalk 850 can be secured to the supporting surface 860 of theshipping vessel, to another surface of the shipping vessel, or to one ormore of the shipping containers. For example, the catwalk 850 can besuspended from the top containers, through the personnel openings or atthe corners of the shipping containers. The catwalk 850 can be stackedwith portions resting between the top and bottom containers of the firstand/or second groups of shipping containers 820.

The first ladder 852, the second ladder 854 and the catwalk 850 caninclude attachment points for a safety harness. A safety harness can beprovided for personnel which access elevated shipping containers fromthe catwalk.

FIGS. 14-18 illustrate various aspects of a floating feed partitionwhich may be incorporated with various features previously described forshipping livestock. Primarily with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B, adownward sectional view of a shipping container 910 having a pluralityof walls 916 is illustrated from above a loft 932. In FIG. 14A a frontend of the shipping container 910 is shown with a front wall 918consisting of a container door 926. The shipping container 910 and acontainer door 926 can represent any conventional shipping container andmay incorporate any number of doors without departing from the scope ofthe invention contemplated herein. By way of a non-limiting example, theshipping container 10 may be 8 feet wide, 40 foot long and 9 and a halffeet tall. As additional non-limiting examples, similar containers withmetric dimensions, containers with less height, containers with lesslength, containers with more height, and containers with more length mayalso be used, so long as the container has an interior storage space 930sufficient for transporting livestock.

The interior storage space 930 may be divided into a first portion 966(seen in FIG. 16) and a second portion 968 (also seen in FIG. 16) by thecombination of a floating partition 928, loft 932 and wing end 1034,each of which may be constructed, in large part, from tubular metal,such as tubular steel. Naturally, other construction materials ofrequisite strength may also be used. In the case of transportinglivestock, the first portion 968 of the interior storage space 930 maybe considered the livestock storage area 970 and may be so dimensionedto accommodate any of a number of livestock. For example, variousnational and international bodies require certain livestock to havespecified amounts of area per animal for shipment. This area allocatedto livestock may be considered the livestock storage area 970. Thesecond portion 968 of the interior storage space 930 may be configuredfor the storage of feed or for access by various personnel and may begenerally designated the feed storage area 972. The combination of theloft 932 and the floating partition 928 may provide a vertical partitionand a horizontal partition, like those previously described, except thatthe vertical partition does not extend to the floor 914 of the shippingcontainer 910. Similarly to previously described embodiments, a verticalsidewall space may be partially defined by the vertical partition and anoverhead space may be at least partially defined by the horizontalpartition within the second portion 968 of the interior storage space930.

Each of a floating partition 928, loft 932 and wing end 1034 may besupported by a first sidewall 922 and a second sidewall 924 withouttouching the container floor 914 (seen in FIG. 3). In this configurationeach of the floating partition 928, loft 932 and wing end 1034 may beconsidered to be “floating.” As used herein with respect to internalcontainer elements, the term “floating” shall be construed as nottouching the container floor. Such a configuration may provide numerousadvantages. For example, large livestock animals, such as cattle, mayproduce a significant volume of waste throughout the period oftransport. Various human and livestock health issues arising from thecollection of this waste may require that shipping containers utilizedfor shipping livestock are cleaned once the animals are discharged. Evenwith pressure washers, it may be difficult to thoroughly clean theinterior surface of a container various items are connected directly tothe floor. The floating configuration described herein provides anadvantage over other pens or partitions contemplated on the interior ofa shipping container because the container floor is free of obstacles orcrevasses which may collect waste, or prevent waste from being washedout even with a pressurized washer.

Further advantages exist in a floating partition, particularly intransatlantic voyages, where livestock may be prone to injure their legsor other body parts on pen or support structures attached to thecontainer floor. In particular, in the case of shipping containers onshipping vessels, large animals, such as cattle, may damage structuresaffixed to the container floor.

The combination of the floating partition 928, loft 932 and wing end1034 may provide an internal structure which provides a safe isolatedspace for livestock in addition to an accessible storage area for feed.Personnel may access the feed and distribute it to a feed trough 948(illustrated in FIGS. 15-18) accessible to the livestock, whileremaining physically separated from the livestock. The loft 932 mayprovide an area for storing hay, compressed hay, bags of grain, orpellets of feed above the livestock storage area 970 in a manner whichis inaccessible to the livestock. The end wing 1034 is connected to thefloating partition 928 and in combination they may provide a verticalbarrier along the entire length of the container 910, or perhaps alongthe majority of the length of the container 10. This vertical barrierserves to isolate personnel from livestock, as personal may periodicallyaccess feed and for distribution into feed troughs. In this manner feedis accessible to be distributed evenly amongst troughs spaced along theentire length of the container 910. Personnel may access this feedstorage space 968 through a personnel door 1046 which may itself belocated in the container door 926 of the front wall 918.

The wing end 1034 may provide a widened space in the feed storage area968 allowing space for the personnel door 1046 to swing open andproviding more room for access to various items and features within thecontainer 910. The winged end 1034 may include a wing gate frame 1036hinged to the floating partition 928. When in use, the container doors926 will be closed and the winged gate may be latched in a position nearor touching the front wall 918 of the container 910. The wing gate 1034may further include wing gate stanchions 1038 in the form of verticalposts affixed within the wing gate frame 1036. The wing gate 1034 mayfurther include wing gate cross members 1040. The wing gate crossmembers 1040 may serve as ladder steps 1042 providing access to a loftfloor 998 located a top the loft 932. The wing gate 1034 may beconstructed at a slight tilt in order to present ladder steps 1040 in amore user friendly configuration.

When the container door 926 is opened, the wing gate 1034 may be swunginto a second position which may be viewed as a continuation of the feedpartition structure 928. In this configuration, the wing gate 1034 mayextend beyond the border of the front wall 918. This configuration ofthe wing gate 1034 provides for a significantly wider clearance when thecontainer door 926 is open and may be particularly advantageous forloading livestock into the container 910 prior to shipment. Thisconfiguration may also be advantageous for cleaning the container 910and for brining equipment into the container 910 for cleaning, such asafter livestock are unloaded from the container after shipment.

The wing gate 1034 may be supported entirely by the floating partition928 without any portions extending to the container floor 914(illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4) and may thus be considered to befloating.

Column support plates 934 (seen best in FIG. 5) may be welded to theinterior of the first sidewall 922 and the second sidewall 924 of thecontainer 910, or affixed by some other means, such as an epoxy adhesiveor with fasteners, such as bolts. Some shipping containers areconstructed with corrugated steel walls, and the column support plate934 may be wide enough to span across a portion of the surface tocontact and be welded to at least two surfaces generally in the sameplane. However, other materials are contemplated for use herein, thewidth of the column support plates 934 may be selected as appropriatefor the material of the column support plate and the container sidewall.The column support plates 934 may run the entire interior height of thecontainer 910 and hence may contact the container floor 914 and thecontainer roof 912 but are not considered part of the floating partition928.

Web support plates 936 can be steel plates mounted on the column supportplates 934 for the purpose of supporting the floating partition 928,troughs 948, a catwalk (Seen in FIGS. 16, 17, and 18) and otherstructures above the container floor 914. As one non-limiting example,each of the column support plates 934 and the web support plates 936 maybe constructed from pieces of quarter inch plate steel. However, othermaterials and thicknesses of requisite strength will be readily apparentfor mounting the described structure and these materials and thicknessesare also contemplated for use herein.

The floating partition 28 may be mounted at a plurality of floatingpartition columns 960 which may be welded directly to the web platesupports 936. The floating partition columns 960 may be connected to aplurality of floating partition cross members 982, including a topfloating partition cross member 984 mounted at the top of each of aplurality of floating partition support columns 960 and a bottomfloating partition cross member 986 (seen in FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18)having segments mounted between floating partition columns 960. Floatingpartition stanchions 954 may be mounted generally in parallel with thefloating partition support columns 960 and may have first ends 956mounted to the bottom floating partition cross member 986 and secondends 958 mounted to the top floating partition cross member 984. Similarstructures may also be used that, for example, provide a generallyplanar partition structure having a top a bottom and columns, which maybe constructed from tubular metals.

The illustrated embodiment further includes mid floating partition crossmembers 88 mounted in parallel across the floating partition supportcolumns 960 and floating partition stanchions 954. These floatingpartition cross members 988 may provide access to the loft 932 fromportions of the feed storage area 968.

The loft 932 may include a loft floor 998 generally supported by loftjoists 92. The loft joists 992 may have firsts ends 994 supported at, ormounted with, the top floating partition cross member 84 of the floatingpartition 928 and second ends 996 mounted with a loft support beam 990.The loft support beam 990 may be an L shaped bracket or other beam beingcounted to a plurality of spaced column support plates 934 on the secondsidewall 924. Alternatively, the loft support beam 990 may be replacedwith a series of independent support brackets for each loft joist 990.The loft floor 998 may further include cutouts 1064 for the purposes ofpromoting air circulation throughout the shipping container 910.

To further promote air circulation, a first circulation spacing 1052 maybe seen between the front wall 918 and the loft 932. The firstcirculation spacing, in combination with a first ventilation fan 148,can help promote air circulation throughout the shipping container 910and particularly promote air circulation above the loft 932. Referringto FIG. 1B, a second circulation spacing 1054 is illustrated for thepurpose of prompting air circulation above the loft in conjunction witha second ventilation fan 1050 mounted with the back wall 920.

Each of the first circulation spacing 1052 and the second circulationspacing 1054 in combination with the first ventilation fan 1048 and thesecond ventilation fan 1050 provides for improved air flow. Otherwise,in shipping vessel transports utilizing water routes collection ofmoisture and/or condensation is possible in the loft area which mayresult in mold or in the spoliation of stored feed.

Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, further features may be seen from a topdown sectional view taken from below the level of the catwalk 970. Awater bowl mount 1004 may be mounted either directly to a wall 916 ofthe container 910, or to one of the column support plates 934. A waterbowl 1000, such as an automated or actuated water bowl, maybe mounted atthe water bowl mount 1004 and supplied with a source of water.

Feed troughs 948 can also be seen with a water trough front 950 thatoverlaps the bottom floating partition cross member 986. A water troughback 952 may rest on the trough support beam 946. The feed troughs 948may be constructed for a polymeric material, such as a rubber orplastic. Such a construction may be light, easy to clean and easy toremove from the container 910. It may be desirable to have feed troughs48 which are easy to remove for the purpose of cleaning the feed troughas well as for cleaning the container 10.

Referring now to FIG. 16, a front sectional view of the container 910interior is shown from the front wall more clearly demonstrating thefloating nature of the depicted embodiment at each of the floatingpartition 928, loft 932 and end wing 1034 are elevated from thecontainer floor 914. Additionally, the front view provides a view of anangle of tilt 1070 created by a distal end 938 of the web plate support936 and the floating partition column 960 which is mounted thereon. Inone embodiment, the angle of tilt 1070 may be between 2 and 20 degrees,in another embodiment the angle of tilt 1070 may be between 5 and 15degrees.

The angle of tilt 1070 provides more space in the livestock storage area970 at the floor level, where livestock need it the most. At the sametime space in the feed storage area 968 is increased towards the loftfloor 998 providing personnel retrieving feed more space to operate.Additionally, the combination of the tilt and the mid floating partitioncross members 988 provide ladder steps for accessing feed located on theloft floor 998.

The end wing 1034 can be seen in greater detail, as having an end wingframe 1036 comprising four pieces of tubular metal forming a generallyquadrilateral shape. End wing stanchions 1038 may be mounted in parallelwithin the frame 1036.

Additionally, a first catwalk beam 940 and a second catwalk beam 942 canbe seen mounted atop the web support plates 936. Each support beam andthe catwalk 944 may run the entire length of the floating partition 928.A water line 1002 may additionally run along a U shaped tub, or within atubular beam, of the first catwalk support 940. Feed 974 is alsoillustrated within the feed trough 948.

With reference to FIG. 17, a front section is taken from behind the endwing 1034 including illustrating a ventilation opening 1014 a in thefirst sidewall 922 and a ventilation opening 1014 a in the secondsidewall 924 at a ventilation frame 1016 a. The ventilation opening 1014a in the first sidewall 922 includes a shutter 1018 a with a shuttercover 1020 a in a closed position 1024 and the ventilation opening 1018b with a shutter cover 1020 b in the second sidewall 924 is illustratedin the open position 1026.

With reference to the open shutter 118 b, a shutter link 122 can be seenconnected to a ventilation link 128. The slidable relationship betweenthese lings allows the shutter to be locked into a shut position andunlocked and opened.

Referring to FIG. 18, a perspective view illustrates selected featuresand more clearly differentiates the floating partition columns 960 fromthe floating partition stanchions 954. The floating partition columns960 are attached at the web support plates 936, while the floatingpartition stanchions terminate at the bottom floating partition crossmember 986.

Method of Loading Livestock into Shipping Containers

In one embodiment livestock can be loaded by the process of firstcategorizing livestock by weight. The area required by animals in eachweight category can then be determined. Referring primarily to FIG. 12,the capacity of the shipping containers 760 for each livestock categorycan then be determined based on the requirements of each livestockcategory. Livestock from a first category can then be loaded into afirst shipping container, or a first group of shipping containers, notexceeding the determined capacity for each shipping container.Subsequent categories of livestock can then be loaded into subsequentshipping containers, or groups of shipping containers. This step can beaccomplished at a first location 700, or at an intermediate location710. In either case, each of the shipping containers 760 are then beloaded on a shipping vessel 770 at the intermediate location 710 thenshipped to a second location 740. As one example, a row of shippingcontainers can be sequentially loaded onto the deck 730 of the shippingvessel 770 from the intermediate location 710 of a port. The shippingcontainers 760 can be transported and unloaded from the shipping vessel770 at the destination location 740, where the livestock can either beunloaded, or trucked to a final destination. Once at the finaldestination, which could be another quarantine, the livestock can beunloaded from the shipping containers 760.

In one non-limiting aspect, the method of loading livestock ontoshipping containers 760 can further include the steps of loading onehalf of a shipping containers capacity of livestock into one side of theshipping container, then isolating that livestock on one side of theshipping container. Next the remaining capacity of livestock can beloaded into the remaining space in the shipping container 760. The stepof isolating can include shutting an enclosure gate 110 (seen in FIG.2C), within the shipping container 760. For example, the enclosure gatecan be located in roughly the middle of the shipping container 760 andcan be closed when half of the desired livestock have entered the backhalf of the shipping container 760. The remaining livestock can then beled into the front half of the shipping container 760. Once the desiredamount of livestock is loaded into the front half of the shippingcontainer 760, the cargo doors can be closed. After the first shippingcontainer is full, remaining livestock can be led from the trailer to anadjacent second shipping container.

In another aspect, the method of loading livestock into the shippingcontainer 760 can include a providing a temporary partition, such as agate for keeping live stock in place once loaded into a shippingcontainer. The temporary gate can be slid into place along the length ofthe interior of the shipping container to prevent livestock fromattempting to move back out of a shipping container. The temporarypartition may be particularly useful in the event of delays in unloadinglivestock from subsequent trailers.

In yet another aspect, a method of loading livestock onto a shippingcontainer can include the steps of loading a first portion of livestockonto the shipping container, and then isolating the first portion oflivestock into a corresponding proportional section of the shippingcontainer. Finally, the remaining proportional sections can sequentiallybe filled and isolated.

Each shipping container loaded with their respective animals can belifted from land onto a shipping vessel 760. In one embodiment, theweight distribution of the livestock is kept relatively even within eachshipping container.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the shipping containers 760 can eachprovide a source of food and water sufficient for each animal throughoutthe trip. The volume of food and water in each shipping container peranimal can depend on the category of livestock in each shippingcontainer in addition to the duration of transport. The food can bestored within the individual shipping containers as previously describedand the drinking water can be by the systems previously described.

In one non-limiting embodiment, an additional category can exist forlivestock which have been artificially inseminated. Livestockcategorized as having been artificially inseminated, or in oneembodiment heifers gestating embryos, before transport can be providedwith shipping containers having circulation fans and access to waterfrom anywhere in the shipping container. Additionally, shippingcontainers for this category of livestock can be provided withadditional space in the event calves are birthed in transit.

In another non-limiting aspect the livestock can further be categorizedby their health status. The health status of animals for the purpose ofcategorizing livestock can be understood as the presence or absence ofany condition requiring veterinary attention, or the absence or presenceof any contagious conditions. In this embodiment, livestock categorizedas a negative health status, which can be those animals that requireveterinary attention and/or those with contagious conditions, can beisolated from the remaining healthy livestock in order to reduce thespread of illness and provide easier access to livestock requiringattention. When loading the shipping containers livestock can be loadedwith livestock of categorized with similar health statuses. Inparticular, livestock categorized with a negative health status can beisolated from the remaining livestock.

One non-limiting embodiment relates to a method of transportinglivestock where a shipping container is configured for shippinglivestock, livestock can be loaded into the shipping container 760, andthe shipping container 760 can be loaded onto a transport, or a vessel,which was not designed to carry livestock. The vessel can be a boat,plane, train, trailer, truck, or the like.

Business Method for Facilitating the Shipment of Livestock

In one non-limiting embodiment the current invention relates to a methodof doing business. The method of doing business can begin with the stepof booking space on a shipping vessel 770 from an intermediatedestination 710 to a second destination 740, or a desired destination,where the shipping vessel 770 can also carry non-livestock cargo 790,such as dry bulk goods. The business method can include the step ofdirecting the modification of shipping containers 760 to accommodateshipping livestock. The business method can include the coordination ofa quarantine of the livestock prior to the scheduled shipment indesignated quarantine areas at a first destination 700 prior to arrivalat the intermediate destination. The quarantine can be for thirty daysor for an amount of time in compliance with any other shipping standardsfor the pertaining to the shipment of livestock. The method can continuewith the scheduling the transport of the livestock to the shippingvessel 770 and arranging for shipping containers 760 filled withlivestock to be transferred onto the shipping vessel 770. For example,ground transports 750 can be scheduled to pick livestock up from thequarantine area 700 and deliver them to the intermediate destination710, where livestock can be loaded into the specialized shippingcontainers 760. The method can continue by arranging for the supply ofdrinking water and electrical power to the loaded shipping containers760. The business method can include the step of coordinating groundtransportation for receiving the livestock at the desired destination.

In one non-limiting aspect the method can include the step ofcoordinating the same shipping containers 760 for use in groundtransport and sea transport on a shipping vessel 770. For example,livestock can be transported to the shipping vessel 770 loaded withinshipping containers 760 where the shipping containers 760 are thendirectly loaded onto the shipping vessel 770. As another example, themethod can include the step of scheduling the direct unloading oflivestock containers 760 from the shipping vessel 770 to groundtransports 750 and coordinating the unloading of livestock from theshipping containers 760 at a location off site from the seconddestination 740, or the destination port. Multiple ground transports 750can be scheduled for arriving at the second destination 740, or thedestination port, and lined up for the sequential unloading of shippingcontainers 760. As another non-limiting example, the livestock can betransported to the shipping vessel 770 within the shipping containers760 for loading onto the shipping vessel 770.

In one non-limiting aspect an attendant can be sent on the shippingvessel 770 along with the shipping containers 760 in order to evaluatethe health of the livestock being shipped, as well as, ensuring thewater and electricity supplied to each shipping container 760 is notinterrupted in transit.

In one non-limiting aspect, the bulk goods 790, or dry bulk goods, on ashipping vessel 760 can reduce the costs of shipping each shippingcontainer 760. The livestock shipping containers can cost less than 1%,5%, 10%, 20%, 50%, 80%, or 85% the total cost of the freight on theshipping vessel 770.

The shipping containers 760 can include animals of the same species,animals that have been artificially inseminated, or even animals thathave been artificially inseminated with sex sorted sperm, particularlyartificially inseminated heifers.

In one non-limiting aspect, the shipping containers 760 can be loadeddirectly from ground transports 750 onto the shipping vessels 770 beforeshipment, or the shipping containers 760 can be unloaded directly fromthe shipping vessel 770 to trucks after shipment.

In one non-limiting aspect, the step of directing the modification ofthe shipping containers can include, providing instructions to cutventilation openings 40, 42, 44 (Seen in FIG. 1) in a standard shippingcontainer 760 as well as providing instruction to reinforce the shippingcontainer 760 at those ventilation openings 40, 42, 44 (Seen in FIG. 1).Instructions can be provided with respect to the size and number ofventilation openings with consideration given to the desired amount ofairflow, or a desired air exchange. For example, an air exchange of 2.5exchanges per minute may be desired for shipping containers on the deckof a shipping vessel while an air exchange of 12 exchanges per minutemay be desired for shipping containers stored in the hull of a shippingvessel. The method can further include the step of providinginstructions to seal at least a portion of the bottom of the shippingcontainer 760 to prevent liquids and solids from escaping from thecontainer. For example, a rubber or plastic material can line the bottomsurface of the shipping container 760. This step can further compriseproviding instructions to install a feed partition 66 (seen in FIG. 2)for separating livestock from livestock feed within the shippingcontainer. Additionally, the method can include the step of providinginstructions for arranging an area to store feed. The business methodcan also include the step of providing instructions to create apersonnel opening with access to the feed.

In one aspect, at least six containers can be coordinated on a shipment,while in another aspect at least twelve or at least twenty containerscan be coordinated for shipment on a single shipping vessel. In stillanother aspect at least forty containers can be coordinated in a singleshipment, on a single shipping vessel.

A Method for Circulating Water from a Ballast Tank

Referring primarily to FIG. 6, certain aspects relate to a method ofcirculating drinking water to shipping containers 214, 216 on a shippingvessel 200. The method can begin with the step of emptying the ballasttank 204 of a shipping vessel 200. Once the ballast water is evacuatedfrom the ballast tank, the ballast tank can be cleaned in order toreduce the sediment, microorganisms, salt, and other undesirablematerials. The process of cleaning the ballast tank 204 can includepressure washing the interior walls of the ballast tank 204, as well asrinsing the walls of the ballast tank 204, with or without any type ofcleaning agent or even coated with paint or another chemical. Once theballast tank 204 is cleaned, it can be filled with fresh drinking water208. Next a connection 210, and a conduit 210, can be made from theballast tank 204 to the deck 206 of the shipping vessel 200, or to thehull 202 of the shipping vessel 200, where a pressure source 224, suchas a ballast pump, can draw drinking water. The drinking water can bedrawn to an intermediate storage tank 212 for temporary storage, thencirculated to shipping containers 214, 214, 216, 218, 220 therebyproviding a pressurized source of drinking water to livestock withineach shipping container 214, 214, 216, 218, 220 throughout a shipment.The intermediate storage tank 212 can comprise a shipping containermodified to house either a bladder or a plastic storage tank 222 forholding drinking water.

In aspect water can continuously be circulating between the shippingcontainers and the intermediate tank 212 to prevent freezing and to warmthe water with the body heat of the livestock in their respectiveshipping containers.

Methods for Producing Shipping Containers for Livestock

One non-limiting embodiment relates to a method for producing a shippingcontainer to accommodate the shipment of livestock. This method can beunderstood primarily with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Relating toproducing a shipping container, the term “produce” or “producing” isintended to encompass at least the acts of: building a shippingcontainer, retrofitting an existing shipping container, modifying anexisting shipping container, and manufacturing a shipping container. Themethod can begin by acquiring a shipping container 10, which can have bea generally rectangular shipping container having a roof 12, a bottom14, and at least four sides. The four sides can include a front wall 16,a back wall 18 and two side walls 20 and 22. The step of “acquiring”should be understood to encompass both the act of acquiring a previouslymanufactured shipping container 10 and producing or manufacturing ashipping container 10. Next, at least one ventilation opening 40, 42,and 44 can be cut into one of the sides of the shipping container 10. Aspreviously described, the ventilation openings 40, 42, and 44 can bereinforced by welding a frame constructed from metal plates, tubularmetal, or the like into place at interior surfaces of each.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 2 for reference to the internalmodifications, a feed partition 66 can be installed in the shippingcontainer 10 adjacent to one of the sidewalls and can be constructedwith a fabricated vertical partition 76 and a horizontal partition 74forming an enclosure. As previously described, the feed partition 66 candefine a feed storage area 64 and a livestock storage area 62 within theshipping container 10, where the feed storage area 64 comprises acontinuous opening formed from a substantially vertical sidewall space63 and a substantially horizontal overhead space 61. At least one trough68 and at least one water bowl 80 can be installed adjacent to the feedpartition 66 in the feed storage area 64 formed by the feed partition66.

In one aspect, the method can include the steps of fabricating avertical partition 76 and a horizontal partition 74 and securing eachwithin the shipping container 10. Each of the vertical partition 76 andthe horizontal partition 74 can be constructed and installed separatelyinto the shipping container 10, or they can be fabricated together andinstalled at one time. The shipping container 10 can be further modifiedto receive water with a water connection 52 and electrical power with anelectrical connection 32. Additionally, the shipping container 10 can befurther modified with the addition of first and second ventilation fans,which can be supplied electrical power through other modification to theshipping container 10. The first and second ventilation fans can beconfigured for maximizing the air flow through the shipping container10. They can be configured opposite each other in a push-pullrelationship, or they can be set off at angles for producing multipleair flows. The electrical connection for powering the fans can include atransformer for stepping down the power received from an external powersource.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the shipping container 10 can be furthermodified by sealing the bottom of the container from leaking. A sealinglayer can be added to the bottom 14 of the shipping container. Forexample, a layer of plastic or rubber can be lined at on the bottom 14for containing fluids.

In another aspect a method of modifying a shipping container 10 canbegin with the step of acquiring a shipping container 10. The shippingcontainer 10 can then be configured for ventilation and for air flow.This configuration can be accomplished with the introduction ofventilation openings, the installation of ventilation fans, or acombination of both. The interior of the container can then be separatedinto separate livestock storage and feed storage areas. The step ofseparating can be accomplished with the introduction of a feedpartition, like those previously described, which can be constructed inthe manner previously described. This method of modification cancontinue with the installation of nose operated water bowls 80 and waterconnections 52 for receiving pressurized water for ensuring a steadysupply of food and water to livestock in transit.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts ofthe present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. Theinvention involves numerous and varied embodiments of shipping containerand methods of making and using the shipping container including, butnot limited to, the best mode of the invention.

As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the inventiondisclosed by the description or shown in the figures or tablesaccompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, butrather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments genericallyencompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect toany particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description ofa single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitlydescribe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives areimplicitly disclosed by the description and figures.

It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each stepof a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Suchterms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitlybroad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example,it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed asan action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causesthat action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed asthe physical element or the action which that physical elementfacilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of “container” should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of the act of “containing”—whetherexplicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectivelydisclosure of the act of “containing”, such a disclosure should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of a “container” and even a “meansfor containing.” Such alternative terms for each element or step are tobe understood to be explicitly included in the description.

In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unlessits utilization in this application is inconsistent with suchinterpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to beincluded in the description for each term as contained in the RandomHouse Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definitionhereby incorporated by reference.

Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or“an” entity refers to one or more of that entity; for example, “acontainer” refers to one or more of the containers. As such, the terms“a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at least one” can be usedinterchangeably herein.

All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term“about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of thepresent invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” oneparticular value to “about” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueto the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges byendpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. Anumerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of theantecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another embodiment.

The background section of this patent application provides a statementof the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This sectionmay also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain United Statespatents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of theclaimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concernsabout the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. Itis not intended that any United States patent, patent application,publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated hereinbe interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art withrespect to the invention.

The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are herebyincorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention,and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or aportion of such incorporated content of such claims as additionaldescription to support any of or all of the claims or any element orcomponent thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves theright to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of suchclaims or any element or component thereof from the description into theclaims or vice versa as necessary to define the matter for whichprotection is sought by this application or by any subsequentapplication or continuation, division, or continuation-in-partapplication thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in feespursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations ofany country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shallsurvive during the entire pendency of this application including anysubsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part applicationthereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

We claim:
 1. A shipping container comprising: a) a front wall, a backwall, a first sidewall and a second sidewall connecting a container roofto a container floor enclosing an interior storage space, wherein thefront wall further comprises a container door; b) a floating partitionmounted with one or more of the first and second sidewalls, wherein thefloating partition separates the interior storage space into a firstportion and a second portion without touching the container floor; andc) a loft connected to the floating partition and mounted with one ormore of the first and second sidewalls.
 2. The shipping container ofclaim 1, wherein the floating partition comprises a vertical partitionand a horizontal partition, and wherein the vertical partition at leastpartially defines a vertical sidewall space and the horizontal partitionat least partially defines an overhead space.
 3. The shipping containerof claim 1, further comprising: one or more column support platesconnected to one or more of the first and second sidewalls.
 4. Theshipping container of claim 3, further comprising: one or moreventilation openings in one or more of the walls.
 5. The shippingcontainer of claim 4, wherein the ventilation openings are spaced so asnot to interfere with the column support plates.
 6. The shippingcontainer of claim 3, further comprising: one or more web support platesconnected to, and extending from, one or more column support plates, theone or more web support plates each having a distal end extending awayfrom the first sidewall.
 7. The shipping container of claim 6, furthercomprising: a trough removably mounted on one or more trough supportbeams, wherein the one or more trough support beams are connected to oneor more web support plates.
 8. The shipping container of claim 7,wherein the floating partition further comprises a bottom floatingpartition cross member and wherein the trough further comprises a troughfront end and a trough back end, and wherein the trough front is mountedwith the bottom floating partition cross member and wherein the troughback is mounted with the trough support beam.
 9. The shipping containerof claim 8, wherein the feed trough further comprises a polymericmaterial.
 10. The shipping container of claim 6, further comprising: acatwalk mounted with one or more catwalk support beams, wherein thecatwalk support beams are connected to one or more web support plates.11. The shipping container of claim 6, wherein the floating partitionfurther comprises a series of floating position columns, each floatingposition column having a first end in communication with a web supportplate and a second end in communication with the loft.
 12. The shippingcontainer of claim 11, wherein the floating partition further comprisesone or more floating partition stanchions generally parallel to thefloating partition columns and one or more floating partition crossbeams generally perpendicular to the floating partition columns.
 13. Theshipping container of claim 6, wherein the floating partition comprisesone or more floating partition columns in communication with the one ormore web support plates.
 14. The shipping container of claim 13, whereinthe floating partition columns are mounted at an angle of tilt relativeto a horizontal axis as defined by the walls of the container.
 15. Theshipping container of claim 14, wherein the angle of tilt of thefloating partition columns is between about 2 degrees and about 20degrees off the horizontal axis, as defined by the walls.
 16. Theshipping container of claim 15, wherein the angle of tilt of thefloating partition columns is between about 5 degrees and about 15degrees off the horizontal axis, as defined by the walls.
 17. Theshipping container of claim 13, wherein the floating partition furthercomprises a plurality of floating partition cross members mounted withthe floating partition, the floating partition cross members furthercomprising: a) a top floating partition cross member mounted across thetops of the floating partition columns; b) a bottom floating partitioncross member mounted between each floating partition column; and c) oneor more mid floating partition cross members mounted between the topfloating partition cross member and the bottom floating partition crossmember so as to overlie one or more floating partition columns.
 18. Theshipping container of claim 17, further comprising one or more floatingpartition stanchions, wherein each floating partition stanchion has afirst end and a second end, and wherein the first ends of the floatingpartition stanchions are mounted to the top floating partition crossmember and the second ends of the floating partition stanchions aremounted to the bottom floating partition cross members.
 19. The shippingcontainer of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the interior storagespace comprises a livestock storage area adapted to store and transportlivestock and wherein the second portion of the interior storage spacecomprises a feed storage area adapted to store feed.
 20. The shippingcontainer of claim 19, wherein the floating feed partition provides abarrier through which livestock access feed stored in a trough.
 21. Theshipping container of claim 1, further comprising at least one movablegate and a plurality of sets of gate hinges mounted with the secondsidewall wherein the movable gate is moveable between each set of gatehinges.
 22. The shipping container of claim 1, further comprising awater impermeable coating on the floor of the container.
 23. Theshipping container of claim 22, wherein the water impermeable coatingcomprises an epoxy coating.
 24. The shipping container of claim 1,further comprising an end wing mounted with the floating partition. 25.The shipping container of claim 24, wherein the end wing is hinged tothe floating partition to provide an end wing gate.
 26. The shippingcontainer of claim 25, wherein the hinged end wing is secured near thefront wall in a first position and wherein the end wing can be put intoa second position, when the container door is open, extending beyond thefront wall.
 27. The shipping container of claim 25, wherein the end wingfurther comprises an end wing frame.
 28. The shipping container of claim27, further comprising one or more end wing stanchions.
 29. The shippingcontainer of claim 28, further comprises one or more end wing crossmembers mounted across at least a portion of the end wing frame.
 30. Theshipping container of claim 29, wherein the cross members are spaced soas to provide ladder steps from the container floor to the loft.
 31. Theshipping container of claim 26, further comprising a wing gate barriersheet connected with the wing gate frame.
 32. The shipping container ofclaim 3, wherein the loft further comprises: a) a loft support beamattached at one or more column support plates on the second sidewall; b)one or more loft joists having first ends and second ends, the firstends being mounted on the top floating partition cross beam and thesecond end being mounted on the loft support beam; and c) a loft floormounted on the one or more joists, wherein the covering furthercomprises openings towards the second ends of the joists, the loft floorincluding cut out sections.
 33. The shipping container of claim 32,further comprising a rail mounted on a top surface of the loft floor.34. The shipping container of claim 32, wherein the loft floor furthercomprises cut away sections.
 35. The shipping container of claim 1,further comprising: a) a first ventilation fan mounted at the frontwall; b) a second ventilation fan mounted at the back wall; c) a firstcirculation spacing formed between the first ventilation fan and theloft at the front wall; and d) a second circulation spacing formedbetween the second ventilation fan and the loft at the back wall. 36.The shipping container of claim 35, further comprising a back gateformed in the floating partition adjacent to the second circulationspacing formed between the second ventilation fan and the loft.
 37. Theshipping container of claim 1, further comprising: a personnel openingin the container door, wherein the personal door is positioned on thefront wall of the shipping container to provide access to the catwalkand the end wing cross members while the container door remains shut.38. The shipping container of claim 1, further comprising: one or moreshutters mounted with one or more ventilation openings, the ventilationopenings supported by a reinforcement frame.
 39. The shipping containerof claim 38, wherein the shutters further comprise: a) a shutter coverhaving an opened position and a closed position; and b) a shutter linkfixed to the shutter cover.
 40. The shipping container of claim 39,wherein the shutters further comprise: ventilation link fixed to theventilation frame, wherein the shutter link is slidable between twopositions relative to the ventilation link, and wherein in a firstposition the shutter cover extends past the reinforcement frameretaining the shutter cover in either the open or closed positions, andwherein in the second position, the shutter cover moves freely betweenthe first opened position and the second closed position.
 41. Alivestock shipping container comprising: a) a front wall, a back wall, afirst sidewall and a second sidewall connecting a container roof to acontainer floor enclosing an interior storage space, wherein the frontwall further comprises a container door; b) one or more column supportplates welded to the first sidewall and the second sidewall; c) one ormore web support plates mounted at the column support plates on thefirst sidewall, the one or more web support plates having distal endsextending away from the column support plates mounted on the firstsidewall; d) a floating partition mounted with the distal ends of theweb support plates, the floating partition comprising: i) one or morefloating partition columns mounted at the distal ends of the web supportplates, wherein the floating partition columns are mounted at an angleof tilt between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees relative to thesidewalls; ii) a plurality of floating partition cross members mountedwith the floating partition having: 1) a top floating partition crossmember mounted across the tops of the floating partition columns; 2) abottom floating partition cross member mounted between each floatingpartition column; and 3) one or more mid floating partition crossmembers mounted between the top floating partition cross member and thebottom floating partition cross member so as to overlie one or morefloating partition columns; iii) one or more floating partitionstanchions, wherein each floating partition stanchion has a first endand a second end, and wherein the first ends of the floating partitionstanchions are mounted to the top floating partition cross member andthe second ends of the floating partition stanchions are mounted to thebottom floating partition cross members; e) a loft in communication withthe floating partition and supported by one or more of the plurality ofsidewalls, the loft further comprising: i) a loft support beam attachedat one or more column support plates on the second sidewall; ii) one ormore loft joists having first ends and second ends, the first ends beingmounted on the top floating partition cross beam and the second endbeing mounted on the loft support beam; and iii) a loft floor mounted onthe one or more joists, wherein the covering further comprises openingstowards the second ends of the joists, the loft floor including cut outsections; f) one or more gussets at one or more junctions of thefloating partition columns and the top floating member cross beam; g)one or more trough support beams connected between web support plates;h) one or more feed troughs having a front and a back, wherein the backof the one or more troughs is mounted at the trough support beams andwherein the front of the one or more troughs is mounted at the bottomfloating partition cross member; i) a first catwalk support beam mountedacross a top surface of more than one web support plate; j) a secondcatwalk beam mounted across a top surface of more than one web supportplate; k) a catwalk mounted with the first catwalk support beam and thesecond catwalk support beam; l) an end wing connected to the floatingpartition, the end wing further comprising: i) an end wing frameconnected to the floating partition, the end wing frame being tiltedrelative to the horizontal axis, as defined by the walls; ii) end wingstanchions; iii) end wing cross members mounted across one or more endwing stanchions, the end wing cross members being spaced so as toprovide ladder steps to the loft; and iv) an end wing barrier sheetconnected to the frame for covering a portion of the end wing crossmembers and end wing stanchions; m) a personnel opening in the containerdoor, wherein the personal door is positioned on the front wall of theshipping container to provide access to the catwalk and the end wingcross members while the container door remains shut; n) a firstventilation fan mounted in the front wall; o) a second ventilation fanmounted in the back wall; p) a first circulation spacing formed betweenthe first ventilation fan and the loft floor at the front wall; q) asecond circulation spacing formed between the second ventilation fan andthe loft floor at the back wall; r) a back gate formed in the floatingpartition adjacent to the second gap formed between the secondventilation fan and the loft floor; s) a rail mounted on the top surfaceof the loft flooring; and t) one or more shutters mounted with one ormore ventilation openings, the ventilation openings supported by areinforcement frame, wherein the shutters further comprise; i) a shuttercover having an opened position and a closed position; ii) a shutterlink fixed to the shutter cover; and iii) a ventilation link fixed tothe ventilation frame, wherein the shutter link is slidable between twopositions relative to the ventilation link, and wherein in a firstposition the shutter cover extends past the reinforcement frameretaining the shutter cover in either the open or closed positions, andwherein in the second position, the shutter cover moves freely betweenthe first opened position and the second closed position.
 42. Alivestock shipping container comprising: a) a front wall, back wall,first sidewall and second sidewall connecting a container roof to acontainer floor enclosing an interior storage space, wherein the frontwall further comprises a container door; b) one or more column supportplates mounted with the first sidewall; c) one or more web supportplates mounted at the column support plates at the first sidewall, theone or more web support plates having distal ends extending away fromthe column support plates mounted at the first sidewall; d) a floatingpartition mounted with the web support plates; e) one or more feedtroughs mounted with the floating partition; f) a catwalk mounted withthe floating partition; g) a loft in communication with the floatingpartition and supported by one or more of the plurality of sidewalls;and h) an end wing connected to the floating partition.